The Program Management Improvement and Accountability Act

In his role as senior engineer for the Detroit-based DTE Energy, Macmichael Nwaiwu manages the company's compliance and pipeline integrity programs. Macmichael Nwaiwu is also certified by the Project Management Institute (PMI) as a project management professional.

A study on program management conducted by PMI reported that over a third of the initiatives launched by U.S. government agencies do not meet their target goals causing billions of taxpayer dollars to be mismanaged and, subsequently, wasted annually. Therefore, a well-executed program management practices would greatly increase the success rates of these initiatives. 

In 2016, President Obama signed the Program Management Improvement and Accountability Act (PMIAA) into law. The act aims to raise the efficiency of federal-level initiatives by tapping into the program management experience of the private sector. The legislation was supported and informed by the Project Management Institute. 

PMIAA sets several requirements for many federal agencies, including appointing a program management improvement officer who focuses on management positions and program management policies. The act also expands the career options for program managers at the federal level.

DTE Energy Maintains Commitment to Safety

Macmichael Nwaiwu is an energy industry engineer who holds degrees from the Federal University of Technology and the University of Indiana’s Kelley School of Business. Since 2016, Macmichael Nwaiwu has served as a senior engineer for DTE Energy.

A Detroit-based energy firm, DTE Energy provides electrical and natural gas services to the state of Michigan. The firm also operates several subsidiaries in the energy sector that range from power and industrial projects to natural gas pipelines and energy trading. 

As one of the largest corporations in Michigan, DTE maintains a commitment to safety and infrastructure investment. Currently, the firm is working to replace and modernize over 100 miles of pipeline, while also maintaining a tree trimming service to avoid power outages caused by downed limbs. Moreover, DTE performs over 300,000 safety inspections annually and regularly inspects over 10,000 miles of pipeline. 

For further information on safety initiatives at DTE Energy, visit www.newlook.dteenergy.com.

Nigerian Central Bank Stalled by Political Deadlock

An accomplished engineer and project manager, Macmichael Nwaiwu brings nearly a decade of experience to his current position as the lead engineer for DTE Energy in Detroit, Michigan. A native of Nigeria, Macmichael Nwaiwu maintains an interest in the politics of his home country.

Nigeria’s economic indicators appear to be moving in a positive direction, but unfortunately the same cannot be said for the country’s primary body responsible for monetary policy, the Central Bank of Nigeria. The Central Bank has not been able to convene for nearly two years, thanks to a series of retirements and resignations from the Bank's board and a political deadlock that is keeping new board members from being appointed.

According to Central Bank rules, the entity cannot meet unless it has enough board members present to form a quorum. However, the nominations of the five additional members required to form that quorum are being hindered by the Nigerian senate as part of its dispute with the current president, Muhammadu Buhari. As a result, the relatively high interest rate of 14 percent set by the Central Bank in 2016 has not been changed.

In March 2018, the Senate finally announced it would begin vetting the nominees, leading observers to predict that the political gridlock would ease and the Central Bank would be able to convene within a few months.

Study Reveals How Much Americans Spend on Sporting Events Annually

Since early 2016, Macmichael Nwaiwu has served as the lead engineer of transmission integrity management for the Detroit, Michigan-based DTE Energy. In this role, he meets with both government and regulatory agencies in matters pertaining to TIMP compliance. In his free time, Macmichael Nwaiwu likes to attend sporting events. 

According to a September 2017 study, from August 2016 to August 2017, consumers paid a whopping $56 billion to attend sporting events. The study, conducted by the website creditcards.com, factored in the cost of transportation, food and drink, and ticket price.

Breaking the figures down by earnings, it is no surprise that income played a large role in determining which demographics attended sporting events. Fans who made less than $30,000 a year only made up for 26 percent of that $56 billion, while sports fans making over $75,000 a year made up 49 percent. 

The study also found that older people attended less sporting events than younger sports fans. 21 percent of respondents were 53 or older while fans between the ages of 18 and 52 accounted for 43 percent.

Environmental Services Offered by GDIS

A certified Project Management Professional (PMP), Macmichael Nwaiwu develops and maintains program requirements for pipeline integrity as a senior natural gas engineer at DTE Energy. In addition to this role, Macmichael Nwaiwu shares his expertise with Global Dynamic Integrity Solutions (GDIS) as executive chairman.

Based in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, GDIS provides recycling management, waste disposal, and other environmental solutions services to Nigeria. The company divides its environmental services into two segments: waste management and environmental consulting.

GDIS’ environmental consulting services help clients reduce their environmental impact while getting the maximum resource value possible. Clients who use these services are visited by a team of experienced consultants. These consultants perform a thorough site assessment and make realistic recommendations for improving a site’s environmental services. Through its environmental consulting services, GDIS helps both the environment and economy thrive.

Meanwhile, waste management services protect companies from liabilities relating to the disposal, handling, and recycling of waste. The waste management services provided by GDIS meet each company’s budget and objectives and include such things as pre-handling inspections, customized pick-up schedules, and treatment of waste. Domestic homes and communities can also take advantage of these services to remove non-hazardous and hazardous waste.

The American Gas Association's Safety Tips for after a Hurricane

With several years of experience in the energy industry, Macmichael Nwaiwu serves as a lead engineer at DTE Energy in Detroit. Due to the nature of his work, Macmichael Nwaiwu is a member of the American Gas Association (AGA).

The AGA was founded in 1918 and has grown to represent more than 200 clean natural gas energy companies throughout the United States. Dedicated to customer safety, the AGA’s website offers tips for those affected by hurricanes. 

AGA’s first tip is to be aware of how natural gas smells. Natural gas is artificially odorized to give it the offensive smell of rotten eggs, which makes it easier to detect. If you smell rotten eggs, the AGA recommends leaving the house immediately before calling your utility company or 911. 

After a disaster, you may need to move and relocate appliances. The AGA warns against doing this alone, suggesting you call a licensed professional or your utility company to help you handle appliances safely. 

The AGA’s website offers more tips for those affected by hurricanes. Visit www.aga.org.

About the American Association of Drilling Engineers

A seven-year veteran of the petroleum and natural gas industry, Macmichael Nwaiwu serves as a senior engineer for Detroit’s DTE Energy, where he is responsible for overseeing the company’s gas transmission pipeline integrity program. He holds BS degrees in his field from both the Federal University of Technology in Nigeria and the University of Houston in Texas. Macmichael Nwaiwu is a member of the American Association of Drilling Engineers (AADE).

Nearly 40 years ago, the AADE was created as a way to connect drilling industry professionals through a society specifically geared to their interests. Since then, the organization has expanded to a membership of approximately 6,000 drilling professionals and has shown steady growth, even through periods of turmoil in the industry itself.

Local AADE chapter usually meet monthly, taking part in professional seminars and networking opportunities. These chapters also produce newsletters to provide members with up-to-date information about the drilling industry. To learn more about the organization, visit aade.org.