Iqaluit (June 23/03) - Shakir Alward, the new president of Qulliq Energy Corporation, says while it will take him a few weeks to get into the groove of his new job, he is ready to make a difference.

Shakir Alward was named Qulliq Energy Corp. boss June 16. - Kathleen Lippa/NNSL photo

"Otherwise I wouldn't take the job," he said last Tuesday.

Alward was appointed June 16. He replaces Jamie Flaherty, who is now acting president of Nunavut Power after the sudden departure of Rick Blennerhassett two weeks ago.

As a senior level public servant, Alward has worked across the North in the Yukon, Northwest Territories, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. He has also been president of Alward and Associates, a consulting firm, since 1993.

The Nunavut Government established Qulliq Energy Corp. April 1, 2003.

Qulliq Energy is a crown corporation that takes Nunavut Power Corporation under its wing and controls electricity and fuel in Nunavut.

Under Qulliq Energy, Nunavut Power is no longer involved in fuel purchasing, fuel storage and pipelines. That is now the domain of Qulliq Fuel.

The creation of Qulliq Energy has not been without controversy -- something Alward said he is acutely aware of and willing to tackle.

When Qulliq Energy started up, 13 jobs in the petroleum division were relocated from Rankin Inlet to Baker Lake.

This upset many people in Rankin and sparked debate in the legislature which led to the demotion in cabinet of Jack Anawak.

However, Alward is keeping a positive outlook, joking that one thing he brings to his new position that has not been there before is "hair."

On a more serious note, Alward stressed his knowledge of different types of power generation that could benefit Nunavut.

"We have hydro generation, of course, wind generation, energy conservation, programs to help home-owners and businesses reduce their energy costs through audits and financial supports.

There are many innovative ways to help people cope with high energy costs, especially in the North."

Nunavut Premier Paul Okalik is also looking to the future, with Alward as the new Qulliq boss.

"I am very pleased that a person of Mr. Alward's experience has agreed to work with us and provide the leadership that will be needed as we restructure how we use and deliver energy in Nunavut."