Nigeria to spend N1.896 trillion on Power, Alternative energy by 2015

The Federal Government is expected to spend about N1.896 trillion in the power sector come 2015; the timeline for the expenditure is set from 2011. The Head of Service of the Federation, Alhaji Isa Bello Sali who yesterday spoke during the launch of NAPTIN- the national power training institute, stated that, the amount will take on four major areas of the power sector, the generation, transmission, distribution as well as alternative energy.

He stated that the aim is to make available sufficient and sustainable power for industrialized growth as well as general development, and strengthen bucolic electrification efforts in a more competent method and attain most advantageous blend, by means of the most suitable expertise. The head of service stated that the approach to be used in realizing these goals is to fashion a deregulated and economical electric power sector to draw in foreign as well as home investments, “this is the best way we can attain what we have set out to do”.

According to him this development will help the country’s personal technological development because it will take more than getting a university degree or masters in courses related to electricity and engineering; technical knowhow, hands on ground, we will be needing people that can work on site not just paper. NAPTIN yesterday commenced an intervention training Programme for 5,027 trained employees across the power sector for improved power generation and distribution.

According to the Director, Business Services of the institute, Mrs. Fatima Jubrila, This program is one of the steps government needs to close the gap of 17,441 trained workers needed in the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) five years from now. The Minister of State for Power, Ishaku; stated that all employees will be required to go through a 12 month special training to be qualified to work in the sector.