By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and the Deutsche Gesellschaft
für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH through the Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP), have signed an extension Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the implementation of the National Clean Energy Skills Certification in Nigeria until November, 2022.
NESP, a technical assistance programme co-funded by the European Union and the German Government and implemented by GIZ in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Power, said in a statement on Tuesday that the MoU was signed last month in Abuja by the parties.
According to the statement, in continuation of previous engagements since October 2019, NESP has recommitted its support toward the sustainability of the Clean Energy Skills Certification process by supporting “the operationalisation of the certification scheme and providing a structure to encourage the growth and adoption of a standardised set of
industry defined skills among persons or professionals that will work in the renewable energy and energy efficiency sector”.
“This project aims to provide a platform for Organisations in the renewable energy sector to source for professionals with the required competency skills for renewable energy-related activities, and at the same time, provide opportunities for certified renewable energy professionals to be gainfully employed in the growing clean energy sector.
“The signing of the MoU extension provided an opportunity for the Head of Programme of NESP, Mr. Duke Benjamin to highlight the supports and efforts NESP has contributed so far towards the implementation of the certification project”, the statement said.
In his address, Mr. Benjamin said, “As part of our contribution to the implementation
of the clean energy skills certification, NESP is providing training to COREN Professional Proficiency Development & Certification (PPD&C) instructors.
“In addition, NESP has deployed a high-speed fibre-optics internet at the data centre, housing the web servers for the certification, procured web and back-up servers, installed Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) monitoring systems at the data centre and training centre located
at Gwarinpa”.
Responding, Prof Joseph Odigure reiterated that, “COREN is very committed to ensuring that a standard comparable to what is obtainable in developed countries, in clean energy skills certification, is
implemented. This will ensure that professionals with the right technical know-how are grown in the renewable
energy sector and by extension engineering in Nigeria”.
NESP and COREN are putting concerted efforts toward ensuring that the COREN PPD&C Unit is strategically-driven within the extension duration by the inaugurated Industry Advisory Committee (IAC) chaired by Engr. Joe Makoju. The IAC is composed of experts from different engineering industries, whose
vast knowledge and experience in high-level management would help steer the PPD&C Unit in the right direction.
