Power sector needs 51,000 engineers but has only 200

The National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN) has said that country requires 51,000 engineers to fast-track the power sector reform.

Currently, the sector has an estimated 200 young engineers, craftsmen and fitters out of the required 51,000 engineers.

The Director-General of the Institute, Reuben Okeke, gave the figure on Monday in Abuja at the induction 220 beneficiaries of Subsidy Reinvestment Empowerment Programme (SURE-P).

Okeke said that the nation’s power sector had suffered dearth of young and qualified electrical engineers due to employment embargo since 1998.

He said that government had offered to train the 220 beneficiaries free, pay them stipend and sponsor them for post-graduate courses.

Mr Peter Esele, representing the SURE-P Chairman, Gen. Martin Luther Agwai, said that eight vocational training centres had been selected nationwide to fast-track the young engineers training programme.

Esele stated that the training would also engage young Nigerians in agriculture, information technology, construction, creative arts, shipping and marine, oil, gas, hospitality and automobile.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Dr Godknows Igali, who represented the Minister, Prof Chinedu Nebo, commended the Federal Government for unbundling the nation’s power sector.

Igali called on Nigerians to remain patient and supportive of the giant stride being taken to achieve the great feat in record time.