Nasarawa State Technology Innovation and Skills Acquisition Centre, has begun the production of ventilators as its contribution to the fight against the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, pandemic.
Dr Idris Umaru, General-Manager of the Centre disclosed this to newsmen on Wednesday in Lafia.
Mr Umaru explained that a prototype of the machine had already been manufactured and scrutinised by the state’s Ministry of Health.
According to him, the centre was awaiting approval of the prototype from the Federal Ministry of Health to begin mass production of the machine.
The General Manager said that the centre was also producing face masks, hand washing equipment and sanitiser.
Mr Umar explained that the centre established in 1996 to train youths in different skills in the state, currently runs 34 vocational training programmes.
He said that the training was aimed at reducing unemployment, restiveness and encouraging the youths to become economically self-reliant.
The general manager listed some of the programmes to include knitting, tie and dye, welding and fabrication, plumbing, fashion design, hair dressing, barbing and electrical installation.
Others are furniture, painting, tiling, carpentry, electronics repairs, interior decoration, leather works and Information Communication Technology, ICT.
Mr Umar said that the beneficiaries were entitled to N3,000 monthly upkeep allowances from the state government for the period of their training at the centre.
He said that the duration of the training varies from three months to three years depending on the vocation.
He explained that the trainees would be given startup packs to enable them set up their business after the training.
The general manager thanked Governor Abdullahi Sule for upgrading facilities of the centres in Wamba, Nasarawa and Lafia.
NAN
