Lagos Set to Launch Schools’ Maintenance Gang

Funmi Ogundare

The Lagos State Government will this month launch a ‘Maintenance Gang’ for its public schools by engaging graduates in construction trades from its technical colleges.

The ‘gang’, which consists of graduates from the states technical colleges are drawn from the fields of blocklaying, plumbing, carpentry and electrical installation. They will ensure that facilities in public schools are constantly and adequately maintained and sustained.

Already, the graduates have been trained in the areas of plumbing, carpentry and blocklaying/tiling under the technical skills development programme of NECA, in addition to supervised internships and have their companies which they established, incorporated.

The Deputy Governor, Dr. Oluranti Adebule, disclosed this recently at the graduation ceremony of NECA-ITF technical skills development project students of Government Technical College, Ikorodu.

She said aside the opportunities available to the graduates at NECA member organisations to render minor repairs and maintenance services, the state will be engaging the 30 companies incorporated by the graduates from the initiative, adding that more enterprises would be incorporated by graduates of the other four technical colleges to also offer renovation and maintenance services in public schools.

“In our resolve to provide a conducive learning environment in the state public schools, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has graciously approved the release of N9 billion for rehabilitation works in our secondary and primary schools. It is expected that students will resume into an enhanced learning environment in September. We are no doubt committed to renewing our promise for wealth creation and provision of jobs for Lagos youths especially through technical skills development.”

Adebule, who presented certificates of incorporation to the graduands, described the technical skills and entrepreneurial training of the graduates as a novel approach by the state government to reforming its technical colleges with the infusion of enteprenueral education in a self-reliant economy.

The Executive Secretary, Lagos State Technical and Vocational Educational Board (LASTVEB), Mr. Olawumi Gasper, reinforced the mission of the state government in building the blocks of an inspiring and empowering environment for youths.

“At this point of huge youth unemployment, innovative solutions that can transform the economy of the nation are imperative. There is need therefore to engage the private sector in making more investments in the youths using TVE to inspire them to achieve their full potential.”

He added that the highlights of the training was a business registration workshop facilitated by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), aimed at sensitising the students on the legal and regulatory requirements as prospective micro/small enterprise owners in the built environment.

The Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Mr. Babatunde Durosimi-Etti, commended NECA and ITF for supporting the initiative, and LASTVEB for the successful implementation of the programme, while congratulating the graduands.

“You have been supported with entrepreneurial skills, you need to go out and have the opportunity in a competitive environment. You need to unleash your potential and translate your ideas into reality. Don’t forget the support you got from the state and employers.”