By Ambrose Nnaji
FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company Limited has unveiled an ambitious plan to deliver world-class energy services in Anambra State, marking what it describes as the beginning of a new era in power distribution in Nigeria.
The company recently secured an operational licence from the Anambra State Electricity Regulatory Commission (ASERC), effectively transferring distribution responsibilities from the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC).
Speaking to journalists in Awka, the Managing Director of FirstPower, Okechukwu Okafor, described the approval as a “landmark event” for both the company and the state. He noted that FirstPower had laid extensive groundwork long before ASERC’s formal inauguration.
“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.
Okafor said the company would collaborate closely with ASERC, industrial clusters, business associations, and community groups to improve energy supply, enhance customer confidence, and deepen understanding of electricity services across the state.
He also emphasised a strong commitment to public engagement, transparency and improved communication with residents.
“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 added.
A major priority, he said, is the elimination of estimated billing through an aggressive metering rollout. Okafor noted that inadequate metering has long distorted billing accuracy, fuelled customer dissatisfaction, and increased financial losses for operators.
“Estimated billing comes with variations and often penalises innocent customers. Power theft also makes things worse. Our focus is to get everybody metered, even though it requires huge investment,” he said.
He disclosed that the Federal Government and the World Bank have supported ongoing metering initiatives, and urged the state government and private sector players to join in driving the effort.
According to him, FirstPower pays the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) for all energy supplied but still records significant revenue losses due to unmetered consumption. A mass metering programme, he revealed, will begin next week, with a major second phase scheduled for January 2026.
Okafor expressed confidence that the company’s strategy would reshape power delivery in the South East and set a new benchmark nationally.
“We plan to make a major impact in the power industry, if not across Nigeria, certainly in the South East. By the end of 2027, there will be a significant change in the power landscape,” he said.
