AWKA/Nigeria: The Managing Director of FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company Ltd., Mr. Okechukwu Okafor, says the company is poised to deliver world-class energy services in Anambra State as part of a wider effort to transform Nigeria’s power sector.
FirstPower recently secured its licence from the Anambra State Electricity Regulatory Commission (ASERC), formally taking over electricity distribution from the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC). Okafor described the transition as a landmark development for both the company and the state.
“We have been on ground for months, even before the inauguration of the commission, because we anticipated the legislation backing its establishment. We want all stakeholders to know that it is no longer EEDC; FirstPower, an independent company, is now in charge of power distribution in Anambra,” he said in Awka.
Okafor said FirstPower would work closely with ASERC, industrial stakeholders and community groups to improve the quality and reliability of power supply. He emphasised a robust engagement strategy targeted at educating residents on electricity distribution processes and improving customer relations.
“We are partnering with the media to ensure transparent communication with residents. We are committed to the state’s progress, especially in the power sector. The perception of the sector as exploitative will change. Our focus is on the customer because the customer is the platform for our success,” he said.
He acknowledged widespread dissatisfaction among consumers due to limited understanding of billing procedures, adding that stronger collaboration among the company, government and residents would boost confidence and satisfaction.
On metering, Okafor said FirstPower’s priority is to ensure that all consumers are fully metered to eliminate estimated billing and curb energy losses.
“Estimated billing comes with variations, sometimes in favour of the customer or the company. But power theft also contributes to unfair billing and innocent consumers suffer for it. Our focus is to get everybody metered. It is not a small task; it requires huge investment. The Federal Government and the World Bank have been supportive, and we expect the state government and private sector to join in,” he stated.
He stressed that metering is essential for accountability on both sides, noting that FirstPower continues to pay the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) for all energy supplied, despite significant losses from unmetered consumption.
Okafor announced that a mass metering project will begin next week, with a major second phase scheduled for January 2026.
“We plan to make a major impact in the power industry. If not across Nigeria, certainly in the South East. We will set a standard for others. By the end of 2027, there will be a significant change in the power landscape,” he said.
