Yemisi Izuora
The Federal Ministry of Power has endorsed the West African Power Industry Convention (WAPIC) scheduled to hold in Lagos this November.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Godknows B. Igali, commenting on the upcoming conference said, “the success of the previous event held in 2014 has given the Ministry the confidence to accord the upcoming one the necessary support in that it will avail stakeholders the opportunity to appreciate the gains recorded in the country’s power sector”.
A release by organisers of the regional conference and signed by Communications manager Annemarie Roodbol, said the conference will gather government, utilities, consultants and investors to discuss the challenges of local markets, capacity building and investment.
The statement quoted Igali as saying, “the Convention is expected to be a strategic hub for stakeholders looking for collaboration and joint solutions to the region’s biggest challenges”.
According to the permanent secretary, The Ministry is proud to be in partnership for the successful hosting of this year’s event and also commend the organisers for support from corporate bodies and organizations.”
The WAPIC expo floor will showcase the latest technologies and services for the industry while the free technical workshop programme will offer practical solutions, lessons learnt from case studies and problem-solving mechanisms to assist power companies and utilities in improving their efficiency and productivity.
The West African Power Industry Convention is organised by Spintelligent, leading Cape Town-based trade exhibition and conference organiser, and the African office of Clarion Events Ltd, based in the UK.
At the convention last year, the event launched the West African Power Industry Awards which.
Industry pioneers and projects were recognised and celebrated, and the award for Outstanding Woman in Power was presented to Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigerian Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, former Nigerian Power Minister Prof Bart Okechukwu Nnaji was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award while Ughelli Power won for the Power Transaction of the Year.
Awards in seven different categories are also up for grabs this year and the industry can nominate potential candidates, while a high-level industry panel of judges will decide on the final winners.
The categories are:
– Lifetime Achievement Award
– Excellence in Power Generation
– Excellence in Power Transmission or Distribution
– Power Transaction of the year
– Best Renewable Energy Project
– Best Rural Electrification Project
– Outstanding Woman in Power