Kwara approves N143m for procurement of vocational equipment

• Refutes plan to relocate GTC equipment
The Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed has approved the release of N143million for the purchase of modern equipment for the International Vocational, Training and Technical College (IVTEC), Ajase-Ipo in Irepodun local government area of the State.

The State Commissioner for Finance, Alhaji Demola Banu, made this disclosure in a statement issued in Ilorin on Monday.

He said that the release of the funds follows Governor Ahmed’s signing of the State’s 2017 budget into law last Wednesday.

Speaking on this development, the State Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Alhaji Musa Yeketi, noted that the equipment are for the five departments of the College, which are Automative, Masonry and Carpentry, Electrical and Electronics, Welding, as well as Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning.

Meanwhile, the State has refuted claims that it is planning to relocate equipment at the Government Technical College (GTC), Patigi to the newly established International Vocational, Training and Entrepreneurship College (IVTEC), Ajase Ipo.

Yeketi said that the State government had no such plan, describing the allegation as completely untrue.

He therefore urged members of the public to disregard the rumour.

He explained that based on need to patronize Nigerian companies, Governor Ahmed has directed that the equipment should be sourced locally, but must be of the highest quality.

Besides, the Commissioner disclosed that the State government had made provision in the 2017 budget for the renovation of all the technical colleges in the State. He added that this is in line with the government’s commitment to promoting human capital development.

He emphasized that the departments at the College will be adequately equipped to train and produce skilled artisans and entrepreneurs that will contribute to the development of the State and ensure increase in national productivity.

He noted that while IVTEC will continue to provide market-relevant skills to middle level personnel, the government will soon renovate all technical colleges in the state to strengthen them for pre-tertiary technical education.

Alhaji Yeketi recalled that the State Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed hosted the management of the College led by its Board Chairman, Prof. Biodun Adimula and Rector, Dr. Wendy Daegas to a welcome cocktail yesterday, where he restated his administration’s determination to make IVTEC a model in vocational education.