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Tag: NAPTIN

  • AFD, EU back NAPTIN to enhance power sector’s capacities

    AFD, EU back NAPTIN to enhance power sector’s capacities

    To enhance service delivery, European Union (EU) and Agence Française de Développement (AFD) are collaborating with the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN) to boost skills and capacity in Nigeria’s power sector.

     Under the “Enhancing Vocational Training Delivery for the Nigerian Power Sector” Project jointly funded by the EU and AFD, NAPTIN will receive up to $46 million to help in providing power sector stakeholders with a workforce whose skills have been developed and capacities adapted to their needs.

     At the 10th Steering Committee Meeting of the project held in NAPTIN Headquarters, Abuja, stakeholders reviewed the progress made by the initiative, including upscaling the training catalogues; developing, renovating and equipping NAPTIN’s training centers with state-of-the-art standards and equipment; and enhancing the corporate governance and business model of NAPTIN.

    Read Also: Nigeria, Germany Partner on $130bn Global Hydrogen Market

     With the biggest hydropower producer and the largest oil reserves in the ECOWAS region, Nigeria also offers great potential for renewable energy. In order to have these resources managed by the most skilled workers, NAPTIN was established as part of a larger framework for a robust training programme, for the power sector.

     It aims to continuously develop the capacity of the power sector personnel and coordinate training activities across the country and the continent.

     Chaired by the representative of the Federal Ministry of Power, Ms Victoria Adeosun, the Steering Committee Meeting was attended by representatives of the Federal Ministry of Finance; the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning; the Bureau for Public Enterprises; the Transmission Company of Nigeria; the Nigerian Electricity Regulation Commission; and the funding partners, AFD and the EU Delegation. In what NAPTIN’s Director General, Ahmed Bolaji Nagode described as a “very important and historic meeting”, members of the Steering Committee congratulated all project stakeholders on the success so far recorded in its implementation.

    Ms Adeosun also commended the continuous support provided by AFD and the EU which she said had enabled a smooth implementation of the project. The Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Massimo De Luca, noted that considering that power is a fundamental and key aspect of the EU’s involvement in Nigeria, “it is very good to see the progress made by NAPTIN on strengthening the offer on vocational training, which is part of a bigger and wider ambition of the EU Delegation to make a difference in the life of young Nigerian girls and boys.” As AFD is specifically providing financing for the construction works, the Country Director was pleased to visit the far-advanced development at the headquarters site showcasing workshops and student and hostels mentioning that “it was very nice to be able to walk around state of the art buildings and see the amazing progress done in the past few months.” More specifically, the fact that the buildings takes into account gender inclusion and access to people with disabilities is key and in line with AFD’s requirements to make sure that every Nigerian could be trained by NAPTIN.

     NAPTIN is set to inaugurate the new development at its new headquarters before the end of 2024.

  • NAPTIN, WAPP strengthen sub-regional integration

    To achieve sub-regional collaboration in the power sector, the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN) and the West African Power Pool (WAPP) are partnering to train personnel of the Liberia Electricity Company (LEC) on power supply value chain – generation, distribution and transmission.

    Eighty workers from the Liberia Electricity Company have commenced the training, which will last for four weeks and sponsored by the West African Power Pool (WAPP) and the Africa Development Bank (AfDB).  It aims at promoting integration among countries in the West African sub-region through experience sharing.

    NAPTIN Acting Director-General, Mr. Ahmed Nagode, said WAPP and NAPTIN came together to help grow and improve the technical skills of LEC personnel, adding that the trainees would in turn use the knowledge acquired to resolve their nation’s power problems.

    Nagode said: “Leveraging on the strength of one another through proper synergy has proven to be a catalyst for growth and development. World-class companies and institutions have at one time or the other sought partnership with each other to grow.

    “WAPP has worked for many years with training providers to establish programmes that put in place the necessary instruments for the skilled manpower needed in the power utilities of its member countries.”

    Nagode said the trainees would run courses at NAPTIN’s Lagos office and Kainji Dam in Niger State. According to him, the objective of the training is to improve their capacity on electricity generation, customers care, basic power system protections, distribution and transmission networks.

    “The training will also increase their capacity in effective power supply and revenue collection. The second WAPP programme training for LEC staff was funded by AfDB with about 130,000 dollars. It was focused on value creation, practical examples and various approaches and potential,’’ Nagode said.

    He added that the courses  include power distribution, maintenance and repairs, power transmission network and substations operation and maintenance. Other courses include commercial operations (metering, sales invoicing, customer relations and accounting).

    Nagode commended the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration on its power sector recovery plan, which sought to ensure incremental and uninterrupted power in Nigeria.

  • FG set to demolish houses under power line

    …DisCos begins disconnection of structure under high tension

    …as NEMSA trains 70 electrical inspector

     

    Following the Federal Government policy that prohibits the building of any houses and other structures under the power line, the Nigeria Electricity Management Service Agency (NEMSA), on Monday insisted that government will definitely remove the structures.

    The Managing Director, of the agency, Engr. Peter Ewesor, disclosed this to reporters after declaring open, the induction and capacity building for 70 NEMSA engineers undergoing training at the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN) in Abuja.

    Ewesor, who is also the Chief Electrical Inspector of the Federation, revealed that owing to the implementation of the policy, the 11 electricity distribution companies (DisCos) and the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) have already commenced the disconnection of such structures under the high tension across the country.

    According to him, state governments have already inaugurated committees to remove the structure under the power line in their respective states. The disconnection exercise, according to him, is to discourage the dwellers from living under the power line.

    Ewesor explained that, owing to the situation report from the DisCos, interestedly, the owners of the structures are complying willingly because they have realized the risk of living under the power line.

    The NEMSA boss said that: “Recently the Federal Government has made a policy of ensuring that all the infrastructure and structures built within the right of way are actually removed.

    “As a first step of the policy, it is to ensure that all those infrastructure within the right of way, either within or under the power transmission line are first and foremost disconnected. And since after the policy, we have followed up with the DisCos and the Transmission Company of Nigeria to ensure that as the first step, these premises are disconnected to deter them to continue to stay under the line.

    “And a lot of state governments are setting up committees to ensure that even beyond the disconnection of the premises from the power supply system, that they are equally going to be removed. And these committees are already working and they are going to ensure that these premises are eventually going to be removed from under the lines.

    “But the first thing now is that all those people that build under the line we are disconnecting them, and we are getting the results from the DisCos telling us which areas they have complied. People are happy because they did not know the danger involved in them staying under the line.

    “But beyond that we are actually ensuring that it goes further. It is nationwide and the exercise is going on simultaneously within the country because we have the under the 11 DisCos spread across the country.”

    He also told the reporters that the rate of electrocution in the country has been on decrease because of the awareness that the agency has created and its technical enforcement in the industry.

    The decline in mortality from electrocution is still not noticeable because people are still counting previous casualties, he said.

    On meter, he said that the agency has three meter test stations in Kaduna, Oshodi and Port Harcourt that are presently being remodeled to catch up with modern technology.

    Ewesor noted that in order to cope with the influx of meters that would flood the industry as a result of the Meter Asset Provider regulation of the Federal Government, “we are already creating a meter testing station in Enugu, which is going to be completed by the end of this year. And we expect that first quarter of next year it will kick into operation. And we are equally starting the one in Kano to ensure we capture all the meters coming into the country.”

    He explained that the agency carries three types of test on the meters to ensure they are the right type, quality and that their accuracy are correct.

    Asked whether he would advise customers to buy the local or imported meters, the Chief Executive Officer, said the former should be preferable because of the easy access to their manufacturers and spare parts.

    Ewesor, who said that wooden electricity poles are no longer well treated, also noted that the concrete types are preferable.

  • Schneider, NAPTIN graduate 22

    Schneider, NAPTIN graduate 22

    Schneider Electric in partnership with the National Power Training Institute (NAPTIN) has graduated its first set of electricians at the NAPTIN Ijora regional training centre.

    The programme began in March last year. In all, 22 students graduated.

    The Country President, Schneider Electric, Mr. Walid Sheta, stressed the company’s commitment to the development of skilled personnel in the sector.

    “Our goal has always been to improve the quality of personnel in the sector. With the graduation of these electricians, our customers are assured of excellent services and it boosts our confidence, knowing that their homes will also be safer with installations done by properly trained and certified electricians,” he said.

    Director-General, NAPTIN, Mr. Reuben Okeke said he was happy that the issue of inadequate capacity building in the power sector, which had led to skill gap in generation, transmission and distribution and also in management of regulatory and policy framework is being tackled and that the graduation would further ensure that the issue becomes a thing of the past.

    “Partnering with Schneider Electric ensures that adequate training; which is an urgent requirement in the sector is becoming a reality. The inauguration of the Schneider Electric’s laboratory equipment and subsequent graduation of trainees has directly given the power sector a boost. What we seek now is to see more electricians being trained and ensure that graduations like this take place on a regular basis,” Okeke said.

     

  • NAPTIN, TE Connectivity to reduce technical losses

    The National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN) and a global power firm- TE Connectivity at the weekend announced their plans to train technicians to reduce for technical losses in the industry.

    Speaking at a forum jointly organized with the firm at Abuja, the Director General of the institute, Engr. Reuben Okeke , explained that the sector has experienced setbacks due to inadequate infrastructure and poor energy efficiency.

    According to him, TE is now partnering with the institute to develop solutions to the challenges facing the sector, through the training and development of local talent.

    He noted that the firm’s experts will work with NAPTIN’s trainer and provide technical training on the connectivity required to enable power system.

    Okeke added that the training will be based on the TE’s high-quality products and solutions including the industry-leading Raychem product line.

    The Director General explained that the partnership was to provide solutions, where workers gain a thorough knowledge of the TE’s high-quality  products and solution, including the company’s industry-leading Raychem product line.

    He noted that “next week, we will hold our first joint training session where we will have NAPTIN trainers plus more than 20 installers/jointers from a variety of companies who will receive four days of hands-on experience, practice and technical instruction from where we will quickly expand the training to our other facilities where we can reach a broader audience. There has already been strong positive response and we are excited to see this program continue to expand.”

    On how the training will reduce technical losses, he said  : “So it is very important that this training happens so that by the time you do a joint, you will do that joint in such a way that you have minimal technical losses.   The training is very apt to ensure that you do your joint 100 per cent as directed by OUN so that the technical losses will be reduced.”

  • Our Girls; Buhari: Beware of NAPTIN & ‘Energy mis-advisers’, Go Solar; SenateGate On/Off?

    Our Girls are still missing and our IDPs face conditions unsuitable for ‘Fellow Nigerians’ in the camps. Nigeria must not fail its IDPs who need financial empowerment for self-employment, improved self-worth even in the IDP camps and not handouts from uniformed NEMA strangers from around Nigeria.

    WARNING: The frightening headline on page 15 Sept 3rd in The Nation screams ‘Why Nigeria cannot use renewable energy’ in which the writer Akinola Ajibade reported the views of the Director General, National Power Training Institute of Nigeria [NAPTIN]  and the Managing Director of Ikeja Electric. The DG said that ‘Nigeria is not ripe for renewable energy’, urging ‘government and other investors to concentrate on hydro and gas powered plants for growth. It is impossible to grow the economy with renewable energy’ arguing that ‘conventional sources of energy are the best and widely acceptable means of generating electricity globally’. His colleagues in mega-misinformation, the MD said ‘solar, biomass and coal provide insignificant quantum of electricity megawatts, and as such, cannot meet the needs of the masses’. To add salt to our wounds on the same page – better called the ‘Energyless Page’, the Group MD of Aiteo Power said ‘Power will stabilise by the end of 2018’ and again ‘let us give power companies 60 months, five years, to execute their business turnaround plans.’

    These are ‘protectionist not progressive’ energy views. I find these views dangerous ’backward’ thinking and irresponsibly  out of step with ‘Buhari Change’ and shameful coming from a supposedly forward thinking training institution leader and ‘key actors and planners in the energy field’ at the time of world is talking and acting ‘renewable energy’.

    I was comforted to read a contrary view in The Africa Report N0 73 Aug-Sept 2015 sent to Educare Trust by Dr Pat Alabi. In it on page 60, Nicholas Norbrook writes under the title ‘Business: The Third Revolution’ that ‘Solar power is lighting up more off-grid villages as the price of a solar watt continues to plunge’ and ‘Renewable energy, the sharing economy and transportation innovation are reshaping economies across the world. Will Africa be able to leapfrog in its development to build revolutionary electricity, manufacturing and transportation networks?’ He quotes Jeremy Rifkin the author of ‘The Third Industrial Revolution’ and ‘The Zero Growth Marginal Cost Society’-essential reading for the Buhari government and universities and NAPTIN. Rifkin quoted Kofi Annam saying that ‘it could take to 2080 for Africa to be adequately powered.’ Rifkin sees the African opportunity ‘as with mobile telephones, to leapfrog legacy infrastructure in the power sector…and [get] a decentralised network of small-scale renewable energy generation.’

    In reality, there is an increasing percentage of power from renewable energy including solar even in countries with poor sunlight. In Germany renewable energy is 28% of supply. President Obama is in Alaska campaigning for renewable energy.  Can Buhari and Nigeria afford to be left out of this energy revolution? Why should President Buhari be advised any differently by NAPTIN? Nigeria needs power now, not in five years. It can harness the sun and also use emergency power supplies just as the Japanese replaced the 10,000MW nuclear plant within three months from emergency power companies. That 10,000Mw is a dream for Nigeria along the way to the 100,000Mw required, but it is a fraction of Japan’s usage. Power today is a human right from village to Villa and will change every Nigerian.

    A $2-5billion CBN SOLAR ENERGY FUND single digit loan spread over 2-3 year using the latest 2015 solar technology, high efficiency/low cost/long-lasting will immediately Solar-Revolutionise Nigeria in power and also power millions off-grid. God gave Nigeria oil. We abused it and the money from it. God also gave us the Sun. We cannot afford to abuse or we may lose it. PMB should ‘change’ the power sector, initiate a POWER EMERGENCY, CHANGE and implement serious SOLAR FRIENDLY POLICIES before God take the sun away and gives it a country which wants it. The internet has 20 reliable emergency power supply companies. Several large power generating ships berthed at ports and up the River Niger would IMMEDIATELY next month provide the 10,000 Mw needed in a short 6-12 month contract while the GENCOs/DISCOs catch up.

    The suit against the Senate leadership on ‘Forgery of Senate Standing Rules’ has not been dropped or has it? Strangely, those who were said to have dropped this ‘ball of political fire’ have been ‘praised’ by the ‘opposition’ for their ‘political maturity and sagacity’. Observers, myself included, had looked forward to the results of the police investigation as a test of the ‘new Police’ to be publicly corroborated in court. The court case verdict would have been a landmark against political corruption. It would have cleared up this murky ‘who-done-it Senategate’ case on which result the locus standi of [self-]serving officers of the Senate depend, some prancing around the UN Buildings and pontificating of migration and terrorism issues. Indeed the integrity and potential of the political process of ‘change’ depended on this court case, so let it go on.

    It can never be ‘political maturity and sagacity’ to accept a ‘wrong’ as a ‘right’. It is a sell-out. Indeed we have suffered from the compromised positions forced on the citizenry by a selfish political class, one bad decision at a time these last 50 years. We want and voted for ‘change’. True ‘Change’ does not accommodate court compromise or short-sighted selfish, backward thinking advisers.

    ‘There is an increasing percentage of power from renewable energy including solar even in countries with poor sunlight. In Germany renewable energy is 28% of supply. President Obama is in Alaska campaigning for renewable energy.  Can Buhari and Nigeria afford to be left out of this energy revolution?’

     

  • ‘Training of technical workers key to power sector’s growth’

    ‘Training of technical workers key to power sector’s growth’

    The National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN) has been the focal point for capacity training in the power sector since 2009 when it was established. Its Director-General, Rueben Okeke, an engineer, in this interview with Akinola Ajibade, says the Institute lays emphasis on the training of technical workers. According to him, such category of workers is key to the growth of the power sector, as it plays crucial roles in electricity distribution, generation and transmission. He also speaks on efforts to achieve the 20, 000 megawatts target by 2020 and the challenge of gas supply, among others.

    Why did the Federal Government establish the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN)?

    Government established NAPTIN to serve as a focal point for capacity building in the power sector. It is to provide a credible, virile, and competent workforce for the industry. Being a state-owned agency, NAPTIN was set up to train people who would man the huge infrastructural networks the government is providing to improve electricity supply in Nigeria. NAPTIN’s major goal is to train workers who would operate existing and future infrastructural  networks in the sector.

    Which categories of workers are being trained by NAPTIN?

    The body trains technical and non-technical workers because they are key to the sector’s growth. Of note is that the organisation is laying emphasis on the training of technical workers because it is the hallmark of the sector. The reason is because they play crucial roles in the electricity distribution, generation and transmission. The sector is technically driven globally; a development that informed the decision of NAPTIN to provide training for such workers.

    How many workers have been trained by NAPTIN since its establishment in 2009?

    The Institute has trained 5,446 technical and non-technical workers between 2009 and 2013.  Out of this, 4,800 are technical staff, while over 400 are non-technical. Those trained include engineers, technicians, craftsmen, artisans and others. Since 2012, NAPTIN has been targeting engineers to improve productivity in the sector. It has been training people with Bachelor of Science (BSc) Degree and Higher National Diploma (HND) in mechanical and electrical/electronics engineering to move the industry forward. It has graduated 243 engineers since 2012. Presently, there are 779 people receiving training under the Graduate Development Scheme; an idea introduced to develop graduates’ skills and further bring out the best in them.

    How far has the scheme impacted electricity distribution?

    The scheme has impacted positively on the sector. From operation to repair to maintenance of distribution networks, the list is limitless. Through the scheme, we have trained engineers that ensure seamless operation of the distribution networks. The scheme provides engineers with skills that enable them operate the networks optimally. The scheme, among others, has become indispensable tool for people that want to work in the industry. Without the training of engineers and other workers, the distribution networks would not function well. Some people have to operate and manage the networks before there can be light in the country.

    We need to answer this question to get a clearer understanding of the operation of the industry.  Can we get light if we do not switch on the light? The answer is No. Some people must be trained on how to handle switches and maintain the breakers when they are faulty. People need to be trained on how to erect new or collapsed poles. These are some of the areas where NAPTIN has trained people and the results are evident. Because if the Institute fails to train engineers and other workers, it would be difficult to provide people with the electricity they need for socio-economic development.

    There is skill-gap in the industry following the sack of over 60 per cent of workers of defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN). How can this be addressed?

    The government has introduced measures to reduce skill-gap and further improve productivity in the industry. The measures include the sponsorship of 7,400 youths for training in NAPTIN, the employment of engineers and other professionals, who have retired from the sector on contract basis among others. For instance, youths are being trained to replace the ageing workers in the sector. The power firms inherited ageing workers. These workers could no longer carry out the business of their employers. They could not meet up with the standards in the industry. When the youths complete their training and get jobs, they will replace the ageing workers. Interestingly, the power firms have employed many of the people trained by the Institute. Besides, the firms are sending their workers for training in NAPTIN as part of efforts to reduce the skill-gap. Also, government has employed retired engineers and others on contract to transfer skills to the younger and inexperienced workers. Government decided to bring them back to enable workers benefit from their wealth of experience. NAPTIN has  organised a workshop to intimate them on how and where they can help sharpen the skills of workers. These efforts are going to help the sector to get replacement for workers with lower skills.

    When is the contract with retired engineers going to lapse?

    The government has introduced the National Power Sector Apprenticeship Scheme (NASPS) to train cable joiners, fitters, lines men, distribution sub-station operators and others. The scheme is going to run for between six months and one year, while the retired  engineers are expected to render their services within this period. However, we are going to identify and pick some engineers who would work in the Adjunct Faculty after the expiration of their contract. When this happens, we would be inviting them to pass on their knowledge to workers whenever the need arises.

    Has the power distribution companies (DISCOs) been patronising NAPTIN?

    The DISCOs have been sending their workers for training at the Institute. The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC), Eko Electricity Distribution Company  (EKEDC) and others,  have enrolled their workers for training. Besides, the firms have employed people trained by NAPTIN because they believe they would perform well.

    Some stakeholders have called for a robust renewable energy policy in Nigeria. What is your take on this?

    There is nothing wrong in having a robust renewable energy programme in the country.  In fact, government has taken a step in that direction by introducing what it tagged: “Light Up Nigeria’’ scheme. However, renewable energy cannot take us anywhere. Solar, bio-mass, coal, and other forms of renewable energy cannot provide the electricity megawatts (Mw) that would accelerate the growth of the economy. They can only be used in rural areas where the population is small. Given the country’s 170 million population, we need electricity megawatts that would take care of our huge density areas, factories and other economic indices. This cannot be provided by renewable energy. It is only the conventional energy such as hydro and turbines that can make industries work optimally, create jobs and grow the economy.  Once an efficient conventional energy system is in place, growth is assured in the country.

    You said renewable energy is meant for rural areas because it produces lower megawatts of electricity. Are there other reasons?

    Yes, there are many. One of them is huge cost of connecting the rural areas to the grid. It requires a lot of money to connect rural areas to the grid. It would be better if government provides the rural areas with off-grid method of generating electricity than spending billions of naira to run transmission lines and put sub-stations in the hinterland.

    The rural electrification project is battling with problems of corruption and lack of commitment from contractors. How can this problem be solved?

    There is no problem that is insurmountable. The problems confronting the  rural electrification programme can be solved. However, Rural Electrification Agency (ERA), an agency that is supervising the project, is in the best position to proffer solution to those problems.

    Can Nigeria meet its 20, 000 megawatts of electricity target by 2020?

    The country has the capacity to meet the 20,000 target in the next six years. Considering what Nigeria has on ground, the feat is attainable. The National Independent Power Plants (NIPPs) are expected to deliver 5,000 megawatts of electricity, aside the fact that we are expecting thousands of electricity megawatts from various Integrated Power Projects (IPPs) across the country.

    Also, General Electric (GE) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to produce 10,000 megawatts of electricity. Besides, thousands of megawatts are expected from companies that bought the assets of the defunct PHCN.

    How soon can government solve the problem of gas supply to improve electricity generation?

    Solution to gas problem is imminent in Nigeria. The problem is going to be resolved soon, in view of efforts put in place by the government. The Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Ministry of Power, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) have met to find lasting solution to the problem. They have discussed how to provide gas to the sector. They know that the country generates 80 per cent of its electricity through gas powered plants, and the implications of not having enough gas in the sector. There is no doubt Nigeria has enough gas. But there is need to gather the gas before it can be made available to the power firms. That is where infrastructure comes in. Installation of pipelines and other infrastructural facilities is going on to serve the 10 NIPPs, and PHCN successor companies among other projects. Once this has been put in place, the power companies will be able to access gas for productivity. I’m very optimistic that the sector would get enough gas and this would help the country to meet its target of 20,000 megawatts of electricity in the next six years.

    How can the problem of scarcity of metres be solved?

    The Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) are behind the manufacturing of metres- be it pre-paid or post paid; analog or digital. I believe that efforts are on-going to solve the problem. The area that concerns NAPTIN is how to train people who would install the metres, manage them and provide credible bills to customers. We have a training programme for people who install metres, detect metres that have been tampered with among other responsibilities. Such people acquire what we call non-technical staff.

     

  • ‘Manpower for NIPP’s substations ready by December’

    The National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN), has assured the government and the new investors in the power stations built by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) under the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) that it will complete training of personnel that would operate the facilities by December.

    Its Director-General, Mr. Reuben Okeke, told The Nation that the institute is training the personnel that will operate the 234 distribution injection sub-stations bought by the new investors in NIPP facilities as part of their equity, adding that by end of the year, the manpower would be ready. He said NAPTIN is training distribution sub-station operators that would operate both existing and newly acquired substations, adding that they would operate the injection substations for optimum performance.  He said the development became necessary to prevent hitches that arise from poor performance of workers.

    He said: “Over 290 injection substations have been purchased under the National Independent Power Plants (NIPPs) to help drive the initiative.  Out of these, 234 are ready for use and we need Nigerians to man or operate them.  Part of the reasons we flagged off a training programme for technicians in Lagos in October this year was to train people that would operate the substations that would be commissioned soon.

    “One of the companies contracted by the government to handle the issue told me that some of the injection substations would be commissioned before December. That is why NAPTIN is making efforts to train the operators before December.”

    He said the development will help in reducing the skills-gap in the industry, arguing that the sector cannot develop without the necessary workforce. According to him, the government has decided to adopt holistic approach to the training of workers in the sector for growth.

    “All the projects in the sector are going to be manned by well trained workers. The power generation companies (GENCOs) and distribution companies (DISCOs), the NIPPs and other projects in the sector would avail themselves of the opportunities in NAPTIN. The government does not want a situation where there would be dearth of skills in the industry because it has identified poorly equipped workforce as one of the critical problems facing the sector,” he added.

    Okeke said power generation and distribution companies are battling poor workforce, aside gas. He said resources such as gas, good workforce and others are critical to the growth of the industry, adding that the government is not leaving any stone unturned to provide a conducive environment for operators.

    The Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), has started the process of selling the plants to new investors. The plants with combined capacity of 5,000 (Mw) of electricity are expected to help improve power supply in the country.

  • Fed Govt will acheive 20,000Mw target soon’

    Fed Govt will acheive 20,000Mw target soon’

    The Federal Government is planning to achieve a target of 20,000 megawatts (Mw) of electricity before 2020, despite gas and other infrastructural problems facing the sector, the Director-General, National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN), Rueben Okeke, has said.

    The government is targeting 20,000 megawatts of electricity, as part of efforts to become one of the best economies in the world by 2020. The initiative, contained in the Financial Strategy Services (FSS) blueprints introduced to identify and further develop sectors that are key to the realisation of the dream, has seen government expecting 20,000 megawatts from power.

    Okeke told The Nation the feat is achievable in view of the proactive measures undertaken by the government to develop the sector.  He said the sales of the unbundled assets of Power Holding Company of Nigeria(PHCN) to new private investors, the planned sales of the National Independent Power Plants(NIPPs), forming of partnership with international energy solution firms among others would help the country to achieve its goal.

    He said: ‘’  The power generation companies(GENCOs) are expected to increase electricity  generation, the NIPPs will deliver 5,000 megawatts, the  decision of the Ministry of Power to sign  Memorandum of Understanding(MOU)  with Electric(GE), Siemen, and other foreign companies  and other initiatives would help in increasing power generation. We have various Independent Power Plants(IPPs) programmes coming up as well. With all these, I think we should be able to have an installed capacity of 20,000Mw by 2020.’’

    According to him, the country has enough gas to meet its domestic needs, supply markets abroad among meeting other needs.   He said the government is solving problems relating to gas infrastructure, adding that accessibility of gas by the power firms would soon be a thing of the past.

    ‘’ The gas  is available. But the fact is that you need to gather the gas together before you can supply power firms.   The fixing of infrastructure is going on . I’m very optimistic that we are going to have gas. And if we have gas, we are going to have 20,000Mw in the next six years. The Minister of Petroleum Resources (Alison Diezani-Madueke), the Minister of Power (Prof Chinedu  Nebo ) the Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation(NNPC)  and others recently met to discuss modus operandi to make gas available .I believe with what the government is doing now, there should be availability  of gas that would power all the power stations  soon.’’ he added.

  • Power sector’s guardian angels

    Power sector’s guardian angels

    The government is equipping youths to protect power infrastructure. The initiative, stakeholders say, will create jobs and foster the industry’s growth. They urge the unemployed to take advantage of the opportunity, reports AKINOLA AJIBADE.

    At a time many are paying to acquire skills to make them employable, others are getting them free.

    Next month, the Federal Government will start implementing what it calls “Power Infrastructure Protection Initiative.” Through this, the government will train on how to man electricity facilities to further enhance the sector’s growth.

    The scheme will ensure that youths acquire skills that will enable them to work as technicians in the sector. Unlike in the past when opportunities were restricted to graduates from technical colleges, it is now open to all who are ready to work in that capacity.

    According to the Director-General, National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN), Reuben Okeke, no fewer than 7,400 youths will be trained from October 17.

    Okeke said the institute was organising the training to make youths fit into the power sector.

    He said the exercise was in line with the  goal of building a robust manpower for the industry.

    He said the programme, which falls under the National Power Sector Apprenticeship Scheme (NPSAS), was designed to improve the skills of workers and make them employable.

    Skilled and semi-skilled workers are expected to benefit. Those to be trained are holders of Higher National Diploma (HND), Ordinary National Diploma (OND), and National Certificate of Education(NCE),  West African School Certificate (WAEC) and Technical Colleges certificate. They will be trained as lines men, cable joiners and electrical fitters, among others.

    According to experts, the multiplier effects of this initiative will have a spiral effect on the economy because many will benefit.

    Okeke said the scheme had opened a vista of opportunities in the sector.

    Okeke said: “The Federal Government has concluded plans to sponsor 7,400 youths for training programmes in the sector. They will be trained by officials of NAPTIN, in order to enable them acquire necesary skills. The training is under what is called the National Power Sector Apprenticeship Scheme.

    “The aim is to bridge the gap in the industry. It is expected that if the programme runs well, we should be having about 8,000 more hands. But this will be more of craftsmen because that is where the critical mass is expected. The idea will create jobs, and help the economy. “

    He added: “The engineers are needed quite alright. But the low-end workers, the lines men, cable joiners, electrical fitters, are the ones you see most often. Up to 12,000 of them will be needed to support this huge increase in physical infrastructure that the Federal Government is providing in the sector.”

    He said the sector was broad, complex, technical, and required trained personnel to drive its growth, adding that engineers employed recently by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) were receiving training at the institute.

    He said 241 engineers had graduated, while 336 would graduate by October next year.

    Okeke said some retired engineers were put on contract basis, to help the younger ones acquire on-the-job experience.

    “By the time the core old engineers are leaving the sector, the younger ones will take over from them and this is going to bridge the gap of about 1,500. That is why I said those that are being trained by the institute will get jobs. It is wrong for people to conclude that the trainees in the sector would not get jobs. It is not easy for people without adequate training to fit into the power sector because it is highly technical and demanding. It is people that have the pre-requisite skills  that would get jobs,” Okeke added.

    Also, the former President, Senior Staff Association of Electricity Workers Union, Godwin Iheanacho, said the sector was in dire need of good hands.

    He said the sector is driven by competent hands globally, adding that Nigeria needs not be left out if it want to achieve the desired results.

    The sector, he said, has lost    many of its capable workers to the reforms, and need to look for ways of replacing them to achieve growth.

    He said: “The government is expected to retain some of the competent workers when handing over the assets of the defucnt Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN)  to the new investors. But, it did not. Instead, in one fell swoop, it sacked virtually all the people that have the technical know-how. This is affecting the sector’s performance. There is the need to employ competent personnel to fill the vacuum created by the exit of the experienced ones.  The sector must be rejuvenated, through provision of human and material resources.”

    He said the sector should not be left in the hands of people with average performance since it is highly technical.

    The Minister of Power, Prof Chinedu Nebo, said the Federal Government has introduced measures to develop the sector.

    At a youth summit in Abuja, Nebo said Power Sector Entre-prenuership Programme (SURE-P) and the capacity development programmes offered through the National Power Training Institute were some of the measures to develop capacity.

    He said there was no new engineers in the sector until recently when the government employed about 1,000 engineers to fast-track growth.

    “For over 16 years, the sector did not employ any new engineer.  The government just employed about 1,000 engineers as part of efforts to improve productivity, and make the industry operate optimally.  The government has put in place structures to enhance performance. One of them is employment of workers that would help in improving electricity transmission,” he said.

    Nebo said job creation wa s part of the government’s economic agenda, stressing that the sector will create many jobs when it stabilises.

    “Power holds the key to economic development. It drives the economy. When there is regular power supply, all things fall into place. The formal and informal sector will produce at a cheaper  cost.  Not only that, they would make profit and expand their operations. When this happens, they would create job opportunties,” he added.