Vocational Education: A Pathway To Building A Prosperous Nation - Fashola The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, has indentified among many other factors the need to focus on vocational education for a speedy and prosperous future. Fashola said this at a one day stakeholder’s meeting organized by the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria on how to proffer solutions to the decline of Technical Education in Nigeria with the theme “Technical Education Manpower Shortage” at Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja. The Minister who was represented by his Special Adviser on Works, Engr. Femi Hamzat, drew his reference from three different countries: - Singapore, South Africa and Canada and advised all the educational policy makers to emulate those countries, saying for example, that Singapore has consistently transformed its educational system to meet its required needs. He further stated that Singapore credits her competitive and growing economy to the nation’s approach to education by identifying areas in the economy that require skill-based education. The Minister said, in South Africa “vocational technical education is recognized as an important factor in developing its economy and as such, its development has been used to heal the past divisions by improving the standard of living leading to a more successful nation.” Fashola also stated that Technical Vocational Education systems are dynamic and the challenges thereof are unique. As such he opined that efforts must be geared towards the system that will address the national needs and economy, if actually the nation is yearning for development it desire. The Minister called on the Federal Government to articulate effective and responsive Technical and Vocational education system, which will accommodate Nigeria’s vast social, economic, educational and cultural conditions for national development Fashola also said that plan is on-going on how to strengthen Federal Emergency Road Maintenance Agency, (FERMA) to be more responsive to the needs of national growth through legislation. The reasons for doing this he noted are to engage artisans and craftsmen to fix roads and to make FERMA a big employer of labour to different categories of manpower. Earlier, the President of Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, (COREN), Engr. Kashim A. Ali, said the theme for the meeting was informed by dearth of technical colleges which has led to non-existence of qualified Craftsmen and Technicians in Nigerian engineering sector and the needs to fine tune ways of addressing the issue. Engr. Kasim stated that Artisans and Technicians constitute a very important manpower of the value chain in the engineering service delivery, stressing that “the dearth of indigenous artisans and technicians in the engineering sector has negative impact on economy, and as the skills gap continues to widen, there has been huge capital flight as expatriates come in to fill the lacuna at the detriment of the country.” In his goodwill address, the Chairman, House of Representative Committee on Works, Hon. Toby Okechukwu, charged the stakeholders to gear up their efforts in addressing the shortage of artisans and technicians within the profession, otherwise the issue of hiring expatriates will continue to exist because the vacuum cannot be left unfilled. ...

Federal Executive Council Approves N54 Billion For Reconstruction of Road Linking Akwa Ibom and Cross River States The Federal Executive Council (FEC), presided over by Vice-President Yemi Osimbajo, on Wednesday, approved N54billion for the reconstruction of Odukpani Itu-Ikot Ekpene road linking Akwa Ibom and Cross River states. The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, disclosed this when he briefed State House correspondents on the outcome of the FEC meeting held in the Presidential Villa, Abuja. He stated that the road, which was constructed over 40 years ago, would boost socio-economic activities and improve the performance of the economy by reducing journey time, the cost of doing business and also create more job opportunities. Fashola added that this is consistent with the promise of this administration to create employment opportunities from construction works and stimulate the economy. “We will do the best to quickly mobilise the contractor to site with the onset of the rainy season and I am sure that by this time next year, it will be a better story, a better journey time experience in that area of the country,” he said. Also addressing the reporters, the Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika disclosed that the Council approved N1.5billion for projects in the aviation sector. He disclosed that the Council approved the appointment of transaction advisers to carry out advisory services on establishment of national carriers, establishment of aviation leasing company and establishment of maintenance repair and overhaul centre. He said advisers were also approved for the establishment of Aerotropolis or airport city and for the concession of the nation’s airports. The Minister of Water Resources, Alhaji Suleiman Adamu told the correspondents that the Council approved contract verification of the dairy irrigation project located along Kano and Jigawa states. He noted that the project, which is about 2,300 hectare, was abandoned after reaching 50 per cent completion about 17 years ago. According to the minister, there is already a provision for the project in the 2016 budget and it has also been included in the 2017 budget. Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed also explained that President Muhammadu Buhari’s absence at the Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting followed medical advice from his doctors. The minister stated that the President, who was in office on Tuesday, was asked to take some rest by his doctors, today. He thanked Nigerians for their concern and prayers for the quick recovery of the president. Mohammed dismissed as wicked and ungodly the insinuation that the President’s health had deteriorated to the extent that he was being assisted before taking his meals. According to the minister, President Buhari deserves commendation from all well-meaning individuals and groups for being transparent and upfront in the matter concerning his health. ...

World Bank Group Support for Nigeria’s Power Sector Recovery Program Washington, DC, April 22, 2017 – The World Bank Group and the Federal Government of Nigeria today had a high level consultation meeting to discuss World Bank Group support for the Government’s Power Sector Recovery Program, which was approved by the Federal Executive Council of Nigeria on March 22, 2017. The current status of the power sector characterized by poor service and lack of liquidity is a source of macro-economic imbalances and a binding constraint to the revival of growth for the country. The Power Sector Recovery Program focuses on supporting implementation of power sector reform, reducing losses in the distribution companies, enhancing the sector’s financial viability, increasing access to electricity services, and mobilizing private sector investment. “The approval of the Power Sector Recovery Program by the Federal Executive Council demonstrates that the Federal Government is committed to the sustainable development of the power sector.   The implementation of the Program is critical to achieving the objectives of the Government’s Economic Growth and Recovery Plan,” said H.E. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, Minister for Power, Works and Housing. “There is need for well-designed derisking in order to attract private investors to the sector,” said Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, Minister of Finance.   “All the agencies of Government will work in concert to ensure implementation of the Power Sector Recovery Program.” “The legislative arm of the Nigerian government is fully committed to the successful implementation of the Power Sector Recovery Program,” said Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Chairman, Senate Committee on Power, Steel and Metallurgy. “We will make sure our oversight functions focus on the completion of projects and initiatives that support the effectiveness of the Power Sector Recovery Program” said Honourable Dan Asuquo, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Power. The World Bank Group congratulated the Government on its commitment to the Recovery Program, stressing the critical importance of the power sector for Nigeria’s development and for restoring macroeconomic resilience and growth.   The meeting discussed the action plan set out in the Program, stressing the need for strong interagency coordination to ensure that it attains its aims. "Controlling the cost of electricity supply is a critical element of the Recovery Program that will require close attention to prioritizing investments based on least cost power development investment planning principles,” said Riccardo Puliti, World Bank Senior Director for Energy and Extractive Industries. “A turnaround of the power sector will require the expertise and financing of the private sector,” said Bernard Sheahan, Global Director for Infrastructure and Natural Resources at the International Finance Corporation.  “This would require continuous improvement in the investment climate in Nigeria and strong communications among stakeholders of the sector reform plan during its implementation.” “A full range of instruments will be deployed to help the Government mobilize investments directly from the private sector and through private sector guarantees,” said Sarvesh Suri, Director of Operations at the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency. The World Bank Group reaffirmed its strong partnership with the Government of Nigeria in addressing the challenges in power sector, that include bringing its experience in developing financing solutions and attracting private sector capital in Nigeria. The meeting resulted in agreement on the next steps in developing the World Bank Group’s support, recognizing the need for concerted efforts to accelerate its preparation. “The World Bank Group is committed to supporting the implementation of the Government’s Power Sector Recovery Program to re-establish financial sustainability in the power sector,” said Rachid Benmessaoud, World Bank Country Director for Nigeria. Contacts: In Abuja (Federal Government of Nigeria): Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Power, Works and Housing: Louis Edozien, louis.edozien@power.gov.ng In Abuja (The World Bank Group): Olufunke Olufon, 08149921055,  oolufon@worldbank.org In Washington (The World Bank Group): Ekaterina Svirina, (202) 458-1042,  esvirina@worldbank.org For more information on the World Bank’s programs in Nigeria, visit: http://www.worldbank.org/en/country/nigeria Join us on: https://www.facebook.com/worldbank Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WorldBankAfrica Find us on YouTube: http://www.worldbank.org/africa/youtube Listen to us on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/worldbank/sets/world-bank-africa ...