The National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN) on Monday commenced the training of 600 engineers of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), under the joint collaboration between NAPTIN and TCN.

The training of the TCN engineers is holding simultaneously in Lagos, Kaduna and Kainji Dam in Niger State.

Mr Ahmed Nagode, the acting Director-General of NAPTIN, said the capacity building training of the Transmission Service Providers (TSP) staff of the TCN was put together to broaden their knowledge on effective service delivery.

Nagode said that the institution had begun the first batch of 246 trainees in three locations in the country, adding that the programme would last for seven weeks.

He said that the training was segmented into various key categories namely, transmission lines, design construction and maintenance, maintenance of transformers and power system protection.

According to him, the training was carefully selected for TCN engineers to improve their knowledge and keep them abreast of modern technologies in the world.

“We commended the management of TCN for deeming it fit to train their staff and for attaching importance to capacity building of staff.

“We at TCN have been supportive of NAPTIN training programme which is focused towards capacity building for engineers and other workers,” he said.

Nagode urged the trainees to make the best use of the opportunity by ensuring that they achieved the objectives of the training.

The director general said the training would make the participants better industry players and also guarantee their safety at work.

He commended the participants for their understanding and readiness to learn.

According to him, under the collaboration, NAPTIN will train 600 staff of power utilities in the country.

Nagode said the initiative would lead to enhancement of the capacity and competence of the manpower in the maintenance of the facilities and improvements in service delivery.

He said the training programme would be in batches, in order not to unsettle the smooth and scheduled operations of the utilities.

“The Power System Protection training for 246 staff is holding simultaneously in our offices in Lagos, Kaduna and the Kainji Regional Training Centre, New Bussa.’’

He lauded the support of the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, for ensuring stronger synergy among power sector institutions, to boost efficiency and productivity.

Nagode acknowledged the Managing Director of TCN, Mr Usman Mohammed, for his invaluable support and belief in NAPTIN.

He said that the TCN boss had demonstrated uncommon professionalism and leadership in his role as the Chairman of the West African Power Pool (WAPP).

“This has enhanced the ongoing WAPP initiative of developing a business model for NAPTIN Kainji as a Regional Centre of Excellence,” he said.

Nagode said NAPTIN would also train young Nigerians who wanted to make a career in the power sector, during the year.

He said that the institute was working towards being certified before the end of year, adding that NAPTIN would get its International Standards Organising (ISO) certification, to boost its operations.

In his remarks, Mohammed, the TCN managing director, said the training would translate to best opportunities for staff in delivering effective services to the public.

He said that TCN would continue to work with NAPTIN on how to increase capacity building among its workers.

The TCN chief executive, however, assured that the company’s management was working towards ensuring that NAPTIN was certified with the ISO.

He urged workers to be transparent and ensure effective performance geared toward the betterment of the organisation.

According to him, TCN has improved tremendously as an effective service provider in the last two years.

“We have achieved frequency control, fixed some of the damaged transformers and obsolete equipment.

“We have gotten an approval to recruit about 200 young electrical engineers and 45 linesmen, which means five per region, to boost out production.

“We are also working to ensure workers are paid like the private sector and we are also planning to buy two helicopters for effective surveillance and working operations,” he added.

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