Jordan Times
Wednesday, March 10, 2004
Second group of Iraqi engineers to begin training at NEPCO on Saturday
By Khalid Dalal
AMMAN — The state-run National Electric Power Company (NEPCO) will start next Saturday to train and rehabilitate the second group of Iraqi engineers to help them rebuild their country's electric power networks.“The company, in collaboration with ABB, a global firm in the electricity and energy sector, finished training the first group of Iraqi engineers late last year,” said NEPCO Director General Ahmad Hiyasat.
Both firms are conducting the training programme through a jointly-owned firm known as Bailycontols, he indicated.
The training for the second group will last until March 23 and will focus on acquainting the Iraqi electricity ministry's engineers with the latest in the electric control, operation and communication sectors.
The nearly 13-year UN sanctions on Iraq has deprived Iraqi engineers from following up on the new technology in the electricity sector. In addition, the war has damaged many electricity networks there.
According to Riyadh Kanaan, a senior NEPCO official, a third group of Iraqi engineers will start training by the end of March. “They will be trained by NEPCO in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency” which will offer the major portion of the funding.
Kannan estimated that NEPCO, in collaboration with international organisations, will be able to train nearly 250 Iraqi engineers by the end of 2004 at a total cost of nearly $500,000. The company, known for its highly qualified staff, has since 1990s offered training and consultancy services in many Arab countries.
In addition to offering training for Iraqi staff in the electricity sector, Jordan has opened an office in Amman to help its eastern neighbour cooperate with international companies intending to take part in reconstructing power network in Iraq.
According to Iraqi figures, reconstructing the electricity network in the war-stricken country will cost between $8 to $10 billion in 2004 with figures expected to increase over the next years.