CSR: Oando moves to rev up customers’ confidence on mechanics

Some auto mechanics in Nigeria have become an albatross. This is why many car owners are always in search of well trained auto repairers who understand their job.

According to Kunle Shonaike, CEO of Automedics, an auto training school, “many of the mechanics are working blindly.” Indeed, there is a deep gap between their work and car owners which has largely resulted in loss of confidence.

Disturbed by this widening gap, especially as modern vehicles with complicated auto structure enter the country, Oando plc, under its CSR initiative, is moving to fill the existing gap and build confidence of customers on local mechanics.

Oando, one of Africa’s largest integrated energy solution providers, has therefore resolved to train up to 50,000 mechanics nationwide in an ongoing basis. The capacity building will cover new skills in modern auto technology and application of tools and materials.

According to Yomi Awobokun, CEO of Oando Marketing plc, “this event is one of many purpose-built initiatives by the company aimed at boosting the quality of services rendered by auto mechanics in Nigeria. These initiatives will also go a long way in increasing the competencies of mechanics across the country, thereby boosting their career opportunities and earning power.”

Assessing the mechanics-customers not sure relationship, Olaposi Williams, COO of Oando Marketing, said “we have seen a gap in the system. In the past there used to be a lot of technical schools for training of mechanics and other professionals, but that has dwindled. So, we are partnering with Automedics who has the competence to train mechanics to empower them so that they can stand on their own to run mechanics industry properly using the right tools and the acquired efficiency and right products.

“To effectively discharge this responsibility to 50,000 mechanics nationwide in an ongoing basis, the company has entered into partnership with Automedics, which has the competence to train the mechanics on various aspects of technical auto work.”

Williams said the initiative was in line with Oando’s culture of investing in Nigeria and Nigerians, as one of the leading indigenous energy conglomerates in the country. Oando Marketing has committed knowledge transfer as part of its CSR initiative, and only recently organised a similar programme for its product distributors nationwide, hence the need to extend the gesture to auto-mechanics who have not been privileged to undergo such training, she said.

The training, which will help to further boost the capacity of the mechanics, who are among key influencers of lubricant choice by car owners, is aimed at empowering Nigerian mechanics to become better businessmen, he said further.

Oando’s Oleum and Super Duty range of lubricants were also on display at the event as participants were educated and oriented on the right use of these products with the aim of achieving best result in car maintenance. Key among issues discussed at the event was how to build and sustain a successful auto-mechanic workshop as a business enterprise. Participants were also encouraged to boost their financial base by seeking the support of micro-finance companies, who are partners to the leading oil marketing company.

The company, according to Femi Olabiyi, head of sales, is also extending the training to managerial skills. “It is not only technical aspect which include advancement in technology, computer and auto diagnosis, it also involves managerial too in terms of relationship with their customers and in terms of small scale financing and how they relate with their banks,” Olabiyi told BusinessDay recently at a one day seminar for Lagos-based mechanics, in preparatory for the training.

“We also have another strand which is alternative wealth creation. We have other business within the Oando business portfolio like our O-gas portfolio that they can also leverage. So, it is a well thought out programme that involves making them world-class so that they can leverage emerging technologies to do their work better,” he said

Oando is targeting intending mechanics, apprentices, middle and master mechanics. The training is configured in the way that whatever level an auto repairer is, there will be training programme to take him or her to the next level.

Daniel Obi