Abuja (Federal Ministry of Power Report) –
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Power, Godknows Igali (Dr) has on Wednesday December 3, 2014 commissioned the Head Office of the National Power Sector Apprenticeship Scheme (NAPSAS) at Mabushi, Abuja to give credence to government’s resolve to fill the technical gap in middle manpower provision in the power sector.
Speaking at the brief ceremony, the Permanent Secretary revealed that the initiative supports the launch of the National Power Sector Apprenticeship Scheme (NAPSAS) on Thursday November 6, 2014; adding that the office will be used to co-ordinate all activities of the scheme across the country. He also inferred that the sector cannot afford to derail Mr. President’s vision to build the critical middle – level manpower necessary for the attainment of the nation’s quest for stable and safe electricity supply.
He noted that NAPSAS is a child of necessity whose aim is to correct the grave mistakes of the past. He intensified that while on the eve of privatization many people reasoned that there was no need to engage new hands and for 16 – 20 years, there was an embargo on the employment of technical personnel in the power sector, the coming of NAPSAS will add value to the electricity sector through capacity building for artisans, pole climbers, switch gear operators, electrical fitters, sub-station operators, low and middle level technical staff.
The Permanent Secretary expressed optimism in the future of the scheme, insisting that knowledge, innovation and technology gaps are the features to which the training and retraining to be provided by NAPSAS will help to fill in that manpower sector.
Speaking on behalf of other Consultants, the Lead Consultant, Sybil Williamson assured the Permanent Secretary that the Ministry will continue to be the protector of NAPSAS and will ensure the attainment of President Jonathan’s vision for the scheme.
She further stated that the NAPSAS facility will serve multiple purposes like co-ordination, monitoring and evaluation activities, saying it will provide office accommodation for the Lead Consultant and the six other Zonal Consultants as well as serve as a clearing house for the trainees during and after their internship.
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