How Kaduna youth developed own go-kart

Anas Rabiu learnt how to repair generators at Korawa Roundabout in Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State from his master Abdullahi Isa. He specialized in Diesel and petrol engines. But fate had other plans in store for him when he relocated to Kaduna. This still unknown to him, he put into practice the skill […]

Anas Rabiu learnt how to repair generators at Korawa Roundabout in Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State from his master Abdullahi Isa. He specialized in Diesel and petrol engines. But fate had other plans in store for him when he relocated to Kaduna. This still unknown to him, he put into practice the skill he had learnt. On a particular day, he was repairing a generator, when right before his eyes the occupants of the residence (where he was working) called a metal scrap collector and wanted to dispose an abandoned go-kart that had seen many years of rough handling. But he outsmarted the scrap collector and bought the scrap for a thousand naira. “I wanted to convert it to a wheel barrow or a trolley for easy conveyance of my tools and generators of customers to my shop for repair.
A go-kart (sometimes known as a “go-cart”) is a small four-wheeled vehicle that comes in all shapes and forms, from motor-less models to high-powered racing machines. In some countries, they are licensed for use on public roads.
When Rabiu brought his new acquisition to the shop and studied the steel skeleton, he realized that he could replace the engine with that of a grinding machine’s and try to make it run again. He then sourced for spare parts from small toy cars meant for kids from Panteka junk motor spare part market in Kaduna. “I then bought an old grinding machine motor, steering, tyres, shoe brake and other things. It took me three months to assemble the remaining parts. I made sure it was okay with the rotor. I then did a drive test to ensure it works perfectly. I’m now going to replace the tyres with those of Keke NAPEP,” he intimates.
Rabiu’s story is one example of the power of creativity. After buying the scrap at the cost of N1, 000, he then spent N35, 000 to make it move. “The chair is the type used for partially driveable play cars for kids. I have plans to replace it with a plastic chair,” he says. But he did not do all this alone. A little assistance from his apprentices helped him in the assembling process. When everything was ready and he took it for a test run, people gathered and cheered. “The police and many people stopped me and asked how I developed the go-kart,” he said, even as he speeds past in his new acquisition with people cheering him on.
The sound of the machine is unusual, but Rabiu says it does not disturb him. Taking safety measures, he makes it a point not to go in front of trucks. Now his work is ‘made easy’. “An advantage I have is, if I dismantle the rotor chamber, I can reconstruct it. I usually put my tools kit at the side and drive it to where my services are needed. When driving back to the shop to proceed with repairs after collection, I put the small generators on the side. When my work is done, I take them back, simple.”
Sometimes Rabiu, the go-kart owner, takes the boys along. So thinking ahead, he reveals, “I will try and put a carriage later. I go to Kawo, Gari and other places in it with people always looking on.” Gradually, he seems to be getting used to the attention. In his list of things-to-do that would further upgrade his machine, he adds, “I will paint it.” This and probably more would come, all in an effort to perfect what he has begun. He can be patient, after all, it took him three months before he could drive it.