EKSG BEGINS TRAINING OF 100 YOUTHS IN METER AND BASIC ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION.

EKSG BEGINS TRAINING OF 100 YOUTHS IN  METER AND BASIC ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION. 

Ekiti State Government has commenced the training of 100 youths in meter and basic electrical installations in the state.

Speaking during the flag off of the training programme in Ado-Ekiti,the State Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Otunba Kayode Fasae noted that the training programme was part of efforts of the Oyebanji Administration to empower youths in the State with skills that are relevant in modern day Nigeria.

The State Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Otunba Kayode Fasae.

While stressing that the 6-Day training programme is in tandem with the Developmental agenda of the present administration in the State , Fasae urged the participants to take the training seriously as

several job opportunities await them under the Mass Metering Policy of the State Government.

He said as part of efforts of the Oyebanji Administration in ensuring that youths and people of productive age in the State are not left behind, the Agency Banking Programme in conjunction with three banks that will ensure direct employment for 1000 Ekiti people as well as the Wema Bank Training and Empowerment Programme targeting 100,000 people would kick off within the next one month while the Bill for the Establishment of Ekiti State Employment Trust fund with a start up loan of N250 million was making progress at the State House of Assembly.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Infrastructure and Public Utility, Prof. Mobolaji Aluko noted that the training programme is part of concerted efforts of the Oyebanji Administration to ensure that electricity consumers in the State have access to prepaid electricity meters and regular electricity supply.

While noting that Ekiti is one of the most undeserved States in Nigeria in terms of electricity generation, the Commissioner stressed that available statistics indicate that less than 20,000 households in the State have prepaid meters leaving the other electricity consumers under the unreliable Estimated Billing System and the Bulk Metering System of the Electricity Distribution Companies (DISCOS).

Aluko disclosed that the Oyebanji administration is committed to reversing this trend by  not only boosting electricity supply to all parts of the State but   also  ensuring easy access  to prepaid meters by consumers.

According to him, steps taken by  the State Government in the last two years include:  the establishment and transfer of regulatory control of the electricity market in the State to the Ekiti State Electricity Regulatory Bureau; the rehabilitation of 33KV feeder lines to several Local  Government Areas of the State  and construction of dedicated feeder lines to several parts of the State as part of  efforts to ensure adequate supply of electricity supply to consumers.

Prof Aluko explained that  the 6-Day  Training Programme will ultimately ensure that enough personnel will be available to handle the   installation of the increased volume of electricity prepaid meters facilitated  by State Electricity Regulatory Bureau and the four Meter Access Providers licenced to operate in the State . 

A major facilitator of the  training programme , Engr Ademola Agoro, who appreciated Governor Oyebanji for approving the training program said that the training is important as over 10 million households in Nigeria do not have access to prepaid meters. 

Agoro who noted  that the training had come at the right time said the Ekiti  State Government needed  to train and   certify would-be meter installers in the State as safety is key in Electricity Installation.