By Chukwuma Ajakah

Energy expert and astute businessman, Engr. Solomon Omorodion Uwaifo on Wednesday, August 2, 2018 launched a book titled: Conversations in Electric Utility Engineering at the Agip Recital Hall, MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos.

The occasion was chaired by the Chairman, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, Engr. (Prof.) James Momoh. Dignitaries at the event anchored by Ms. Ayisha Osori, a fellow of the Eisenhower Institute, include the book reviewer, Prof. Eghosa Osaghae, Vice-Chancellor, Igbinedion University, Okada. Engineering insight providers were Engr. (Prof.) Frank Okafor, Commissioner, EPM,NERC and Engr. Daudu Abdul-Aziz, Chief Operating Officer, North South Power, Shiroro Hydro, the chief launcher, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhoude and the chief presenter/launcher, Tony Elumelu who was represented by Executive Director, Transcorp Plc, Owen Omogiafo.

There were also representatives of the following corporate launchers in attendance: the Nigerian Electricity Industry, NESI, Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trader, Transmission Company of Nigeria, Nigerian Academy of Engineering, Nigerian Society of Engineers, Nigerian Institution of Electrical and Electronic Engineers,NIEEE, as well as distribution and generation companies-DISCOS and GENCOS.

While presenting the book to the public, the Programme Organiser, Ms Josephine Igberaese, retired, Director of the National Troupe of Nigeria, reminded the audience that an intellectual property of such magnitude cannot be adequately priced.

The public presentation of the book attracted corporate executives and other major stakeholders in the industry. The author, who had served in various capacities in Electricity Corporation of Nigeria, ECN, before retiring to establish Omo Uwa Partners, OUP, a consulting engineering firm in 1974, decried the  state of power supply in the country saying: “Yesterday, we probably would not have agreed that all the three links in the chain of electric power supply- generation, transmission and distribution, are inadequate. Today, we totally agree that they are. We have almost regressed… to pre-1951 levels.”

Momoh described the sage as ‘Nigeria’s Thomas Edison’ whose ideas, if implemented, could revolutionise electric power supply in the country. Momoh bought copies for the NERC Academy and recommended the book to all, especially industry players, stressing, ‘the author had brought experience of many years to bear in the production of this masterpiece in a way that only a master can.” In his remarks, Uwaifo identified low load factor as the bane of the industry and called for synergy among players to revitalise the sector for efficient service delivery.