67 Tarabans Go For Hands-On Training In Kenya.
By, Nick Dugba.
A total of 59 professional trainees drawn from various fields and 17 staff of Taraba State Water Supply Agency would depart Nigeria on Sunday May 21 for a hands-on training with the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Corporation NCWSC.
In a farewell ceremony held Friday at the Government House Jalingo Exco Chamber, the State Commissioner for Water Resources, Barr. Emmanuel Gowon, thanked Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku for ensuring that the water sector is turned around for more efficient service to the people.
He stated that the administration’s achievements was two- pronged; youth development and bridging the manpower gap in the water supply sector.
According to the Commissioner, “the selection of these youths was rigorous, adopting the rescue mission grassroots formula aimed at getting the best professional youths out of our communities, and we have gathered young men and women of sound minds who have been screened and found worthy of the assignment”.
A team of 50 youths from various disciplines have been picked for the training which included: civil/water engineers, mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, chemical engineers, computer/ICT professionals, scientists, economists, business/commercial management professionals, town/regional planners, accountants and sociologists/public relations personnel.
The first batch is billed for take off on 21st May, 2017 to spend two weeks after which the next batch will follow while the entire training programme for the three batches is estimated to end first week of July this year.
Speaking during the ceremony, Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku, charged the staff of the agency to be good ambassadors of the State by bringing good ideas that would make Taraba proud.
The Governor who was earlier in Kenya on a fact finding mission on the water project, disclosed to the trainees that they would “ learn new tactics, new ethics and would be reformed when they come back”.
He therefore warned that they would be closely monitored and that any negative report would attract sanctions even as he promised to absorb all the trainees upon completion of the course.
Governor Ishaku however, commended the African Development Bank (AfDB) for its support.
The Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Abel Peter Diah and three other lawmakers would lead the delegation to Kenya, as the Executive prepares a Bill to reform the State Water Supply Agency to make it self sustaining, vibrant and profitable.
Governor Darius Ishaku had earlier visited Nairobi on the terms of the African Development Bank (AfDB) to study the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Corporation, which is said to be one of the best in the continent.
He had also invited officials of the Corporation to Taraba State to also see the current Taraba State and World Bank sponsored Jalingo water project with a view to replicating the Nairobi success story.