FG, French firm train 20 power installers at Kainji

The Federal Government and a team of power expatriates from France were expected to have today commenced training for 20 installers drawn from the generation, transmission and distribution value-chain. The training is holding at the Power Training Centre, Kainji, Niger State.

Director-General of the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN), Engr. Reuben Okeke, told the media last Thursday in Abuja that NAPTIN is partnering with TE Connectivity, an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to train 20 installers and jointers from various power firms.

“From there, we will quickly expand the training to our other facilities where we can reach a broader audience. There has already been a strong response and we are excited to see this programme expand,” he said.

Okeke, who disclosed that government is targeting 5,000 megawatts by early 2016 said, “All installations’ joints that are not properly fitted constitute technical losses. So expertise training is important to ensure that joints are well fitted and they do not overheat. This will help to reduce the energy losses to the barest minimum.”

NAPTIN said the programme, which would be replicated to train more hands in the industry, would help to reduce the significant technical losses experienced across the electricity transmission and distribution value-chain.

TE Connectivity’s Head of Energy Project in Nigeria, Ronnie Fotheringham, explained that as the government of Nigeria invests in upgrading and expanding the power network, it also needs to invest in its people by developing the skills and expertise required to develop and maintain that network.

Engr. Okeke said with more investments in the 10 National Integrated Power Plants (NIPPs) and from other investors in the sectors, there is a huge need to have commensurate power installers, which informed the partnership.

He noted that the 11 electricity Distribution companies (Discos) would require 6,069 trained power fitters, jointers and linesmen by 2020 to match the target of 20,000mw in the nation’s privatised power sector.

Specifically, the Discos would need 685 cable jointers, 741 electrical fitters and 4,643 linesmen by 2020 when power generation is expected to have hit 20,000mw, Engr. Okeke explained.