NAN-H-32
Training
By Martha Agas
Jos, Dec. 8, 2016(NAN) The Nigeria Association of Engineering Craftsmen (NAEC) says it has trained its members on solar, renewable energy and building concepts to update their skills in meeting global best practices.
The Chairman of NAEC in Plateau, Mr Henry Miri, disclosed this in an interview with
the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Jos.
He said the training was facilitated by a company called Palmtronics Ltd, whose managing director was a former craftsman before his elevation from the group.
“We have trained more than 40 of our members on solar and renewable energy as facilitated by our former member, the managing director of Palmtronics Ltd,
who is now an engineer.
“We enjoin members to come for the training to update their skills and overcome the phase of recession the country is going through,’’ he said.
He said 25 members were also trained in modern building concepts using local resources at affordable range.
“We organised capacity building for 25 of our members in collaboration with the German International Corporation on building concepts and `train the trainers’ scheme in building by using local resources available.
“The ordinary sand is used with modern technology, the compressing machine constructs the blocks. We have the prototype. The workshop was a success and our members have started adopting to the new technology.
“ The concept of ratio in the conventional construction may not be accurate which have threatened the durability of the constructions, this is because the open market has made it an all comers affairs, the new technology requires less resources and energy which these workshops have expose them to,’’ he explained.
He explained that interlocking tiles often suffer crack when vehicles ply on them but the modern building concepts would avert that because the ratio was not handmade calculated but by machine which is compressed within the shortest duration.
Miri enjoined government at all levels to use locally sourced materials as it would enhance the economy through its multiplier effects.
According to him, being members of NAEC gives them an edge over unregistered craftsmen in the country, as they are considered first before non-members for employment and exposure to updated skills to duties.
NAN reports that the Nigerian Building Roads and Research Institute (NBRRI) recently organised capacity building for more than 65 members on walling technology using 95 per cent laterite and five per cent cement for constructing walls.(NAN)
MAA/OSA/HA
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Edited by Shittu Obassa/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu