By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The Managing Director of FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company Limited, Mr. Okechukwu Okafor, on Tuesday attended the public consultation organised by the Anambra State Electricity Regulatory Commission (ASERC) on the draft electricity regulations expected to shape the emerging power market in Anambra State, where he clarified issues relating to electricity supply, estimated billing, energy losses, and ongoing reforms in the sector.
The consultation, held in Awka, brought together electricity consumers, community leaders, engineers, government officials, members of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, among other stakeholders in the power sector to review, contribute to, and deliberate on the proposed state’s draft Electricity Regulations 2026, among other key discussions that will help to enhance and shape the Anambra State Electricity Market.
In his opening remarks at the event, the Chairman and Managing Director of Anambra State Electricity Regulatory Commission, Prof. Frank Okafor, said the aim of the event was to provide a platform for stakeholders to critically examine the draft Electricity Regulations, make necessary inputs, and ensure that the final document reflects the realities of the emerging electricity market in Anambra State. He noted that the consultation was part of the Commission’s commitment to transparency, inclusiveness and due process in the development of policies that will guide the generation, distribution, supply and consumption of electricity in the state, adding that the draft regulations were designed to establish clear operational standards.
The ASERC Boss also called for improved cooperation between electricity distribution companies and consumers, stressing that the Commission would ensure that all operators comply strictly with the provisions of the Anambra State Electricity Law, 2025 and the State Electricity Regulations 2026 if eventually passed and enacted. While commending FirstPower for its services in Anambra State, he also acknowledged the existence of some drawbacks and challenges affecting the power sector both in the state and the entire country, as well as the frustrations such challenges pose on customers, whom he said have rights to complain and express their concerns.
Prof. Okafor also gave an overview of ASERC and its roles, as well as the operations of the power sector and its unattractive nature to investors; further clarifying that his Commission was not established to frustrate service providers, but to ensure minimum service standards, fair tariffs, and reliable electricity supply for customers. These, he said, formed part of the ideas behind the organizing of the public consultation and the ongoing review of the draft Electricity Regulations towards the overall betterment of the Anambra electricity market.
In a presentation on the Consumer Protection Regulations draft at the event, the ASERC Executive Commissioner in charge of Consumer Affairs, Planning, Regulation and Strategy, Engr. Nosike Emmanuel, dissected the various provisions of the draft, including on such key areas as consumer protection, billing and metering standards, licensing of operators, connection and disconnection procedures, and service delivery benchmarks, all aimed at building a modern electricity market capable of supporting economic growth in the state. He emphasized that ASERC was created to regulate operators, protect consumers, and promote investment and innovation in generation, transmission, distribution and supply of electricity in the state.
He enlightened the consumers of their rights, and noted that the Commission operates on the principles of integrity, professionalism and transparency, further adding that customers who are dissatisfied with the services response of electricity provider can should follow the approved procedures of engagement to make their concerns known. According to him, the regulatory framework also provides timelines for resolving disputes, connection requests, and transformer-related faults.
Responding to inquiries and concerns raised by customers during the interactive session, the Managing Director of FirstPower, Engr. Okechukwu Okafor, acknowledged the customers’ rights to be angry over unsatisfactory services by providers. He, however corroborated the ASERC Chairman’s earlier clarification that electricity distribution companies also face serious operational challenges, particularly energy losses, energy theft, power generation and transmission problems, vandalization, facility problems, as well as the high cost of power supply, among others.
He explained that the company loses over twenty percent of the energy it pays for, stressing that such losses are often absorbed by the distribution company without being passed to consumers. According to him, the electricity business is highly capital-intensive, and the real cost of energy is yet to be fully appreciated in many parts of the country because the sector had operated under heavy subsidy for many years.
Okafor also assured participants that the company had begun taking decisive steps to address complaints of overbilling, revealing that four staff of FirstPower are already facing criminal charges over issues related to billing irregularities. He maintained that the company, built in integrity, does not tolerate misconduct, adding that internal disciplinary and legal actions were part of efforts to restore public confidence in the system.
He further revealed that FirstPower has taken significant steps towards ending estimated billing through the establishment of its own meter lab in Onitsha with capacity of producing about 2500 meters daily to ensure regular availability of meter for customers, even as he re-echoed his earlier calls on every customer who needs meter to apply through the laid down procedures.
On the issue of the current blackout affecting parts of the state and the country, the FirstPower Managing Director noted that the situation, which was caused by the drop in power generation by GenCos due to shortage of gas supply, might be a “blessing in disguise,” as it has pushed distribution companies that depend on national grid to start thinking outside the box. As part of the efforts by FirstPower and the outcome, the MD disclosed ongoing plans to start embedded power generation in Anambra state, so as to reduce the state’s dependence on the national grid. He further added that two companies were already involved in the plans towards making the vision a reality in the shortest possible time.
Joined in the event by the Chief Technical Officer of FirstPower, Dr. Emeka Egbujor and the Chief Commercial Officer, Dr. Nnenna Obi, the MD assured that FirstPower remains committed to attending to customers’ concerns and improving its service delivery within its ability to the satisfaction of electricity consumers in Anambra State.
The consultation also featured contributions from electricity consumers, some of whom commended FirstPower and ASERC for their commitment and services to the people, while also calling for intensified efforts toward achieving stable and affordable power supply in the state, in line with Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s vision of making Anambra a liveable and prosperous homeland.
The event also attracted the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power and Water Resources in the state, Engr. Sir Victor Ezekwo; other ASERC Executive Commissioners, including Barr. Chijioke Nnaemeka Obi, Dr. Geoffrey Nwokoye, and Dr. Nnaemeka Ewelukwa; as well as the Commission’s Secretary, Mr. Nwike Nwaka; as well as activist Osita Obi, among others.
More photos from the event:
