The Federal Government has commended the Ministry of Power for setting up the National Power Training Institute (NAPTIN) and undertaking the training of personnel in the power sector.
The commendation was given by the Vice President, Namadi Sambo, during the 29th meeting of the Board of Niger Delta Power Holding Company of Nigeria (NDPHC), operators of NIPP, at the State House, Abuja .
Sambo said NAPTIN would be able to train the much needed manpower in the power sector, which would be operating the power plants even after privatization. He noted that the institution should be upgraded in order to attract the patronage of other companies within and outside the country, adding that the private sector should be involved.
Being uncomfortable with the inadequate funds coming from the Multi-year-Tariff-Order (MYTO) and inability to pay for gas, Sambo called for a meeting next week, to be attended by the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Chairman, National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and other stakeholders concern.
He frowned at some contractors who have not completed their work especially the work at the Gwagwalada sub-station which is said to be at 90 percent completion, stressing that though the time table for commissioning has been drawn, he cannot take Mr. President to commission the power project that would fail immediately after commissioning. "This Administration want to deliver electricity to Nigerians", he added.
The Board also expressed its apprehension over the spate of vandalism in parts of the country especially the recent one at Afam in Delta State, where gas facilities were vandalised, noting that this has affected power output in the country.
While approving some memos brought to it by the Managing Director of NDPHC, the Board ordered for sensitization programme to be put in place especially to the grassroots, to stem the tide of vandalism in the country.
Earlier, the Managing Director of Niger Delta Power Holding Company, Mr. James Olotu, on behalf of Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State, briefed the Board on the road show recently carried out in June. According to him
He said following the divestiture of the 80% shares of the company which has necessitated the road show to attract interests from both local and foreign investors, the exercise was a huge success as it recorded over 400 participants in Lagos, London and New York had 200 and 100 participants and the lowest of 45 participants in Hong Kong .
Minister of Power Prof. Chinedu Nebo, also made a presentation on the Manpower requirement, cost implication and NAPTIN's training capacity. He said, presently, NAPTIN has 500 students about to be graduated from the institute. He stressed the need for adequate funding, noting that N50 billion has already been given it, as the institution is capable of bridging the wide gap in the electrical engineering programmes in the education sector.
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Ministry of Power is definately doing things right now because electricity is somewhat improving and things are getting better. Makes a lot of sense.