The North-East Development Commission (NEDC) of Nigeria in partnership with Momas Metering School (MMS) has trained the youths on the theory, practical skills and regulations of energy meters installations and electrical building installations as part of its youth empowerment programme.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, NEDC, Mohammed Alkali, revealed this at the graduation ceremony of NEDC beneficiaries from MOMAS Electricity Meters Manufacturing Company (MEMMCOL).
Fatima Ciroma, who represented the Deputy General Manager, Education, NEDC, said the training specifically aims to produce certified installers and technicians for electricity meter installations to meet the demand of Meter Asset Provider (MAP) and National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP) as approved by the Federal Government.
Additionally, the World Bank estimates that Nigeria loses an additional $29 billion annually due to power shortages in the electricity industry, which accounts for 6% of the country’s GDP (GDP).
As a result, each Disco is predicted to lose N3 billion per month to energy theft, and with 11 Discos, this amounts to an average monthly loss of N33 billion.
“Beyond the technical aspect of the training, the module also trained students on how to start a start-up and become entrepreneurs. The training, is beneficial to the North East and is in line with the Commission’s commitment to help reduce unemployment and increase skilled labour and workforce in the North East as well as the Commission’s mandate regarding human capacity development as a tool for eradicating poverty in the North East,” he added.
He pointed out that the Commission’s collaboration with the MOMAS training school covered tuition, accommodation, feeding, upkeep, personal protective equipment (PPE), customised tools bag with tools, course materials as well as extra-curricular activities whilst the training school provided the technical component.
The Chairman of MOMAS Group, Engr. Kola Balogun, earlier stated that Nigeria needed to increase its domestic capacity to produce meters to keep up with the country’s rising demand. He claimed that his company established the MEMMCOL metering school to fill the enormous gap.
He claims that the nation’s power industry is in danger as a result of the talent gap in the meter sector, warning that if it is not promptly addressed, Nigeria won’t be able to sustain its future.
Flora Yuguda from Taraba State spoke on behalf of the graduates and thanked MOMAS and NEDC for the initiative, claiming that it had improved her status. She also pledged to do much more if given the funding she needs to succeed in her field.
