Anambra, FirstPower partners for sustainable power supply, network expansion

Anambra state government and FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company Ltd. have reaffirmed their commitment to build a resilient and sustainable electricity market in the state

The commitments were made during a courtesy visit by the FirstPower management team to the Commissioner for Power and Water Resources, Casmir Agumadu on Monday in Awka.

Okechukwu Okafor, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FirstPower, said the company’s investment in Anambra was inspired by confidence in the state’s electricity reforms.

He expressed optimism that closer collaboration with the Ministry would accelerate the transformation of the sector.

Giving a highlight of the company’s milestones in the last year, Okafor revealed some of the major operational challenges, including limited power supply from the national grid, ageing inherited infrastructure, energy theft, vandalism of electricity assets and metre bypass, all of which continue to impact service delivery.

He disclosed that it has intensified the prepaid metering programme and network improvement initiatives, aimed at promoting transparency, reducing estimated billing and improving customer satisfaction.

He further announced that three new metre vendors have been added to further improve the company’s metre services, adding that its metre lab in Onitsha remains fully active and operational.

The Managing Director, however, appealed for stronger institutional collaboration through joint enforcement against energy theft and vandalism, stricter protection of power corridors and right-of-way, as well as coordinated public sensitisation to deepen consumer understanding of ongoing electricity sector reform.

Casmir Agumadu, Commissioner for Power and Water Resources, while responding, commended FirstPower for the remarkable progress recorded within a short period of operation in the state.

He observed that many residents often overlook improvements while paying attention only to service disruptions and shortfalls.

He assured the company of the Ministry’s solid commitment to working with relevant security agencies, including local security structures and the Homeland Security outfit, to combat vandalism, energy theft and other illegal activities threatening electricity infrastructure across the state.

Agumadu emphasised that the government remains committed to creating an enabling environment that protects investments while ensuring improved service delivery to consumers, noting that collaboration between regulators, operators and citizens remains key to achieving a stable electricity market.

He recommended the deployment of CCTV surveillance systems and solar-powered street lights around critical electricity installations to deter vandals.

He, however, urged FirstPower to sustain aggressive public enlightenment campaigns on energy safety and the consequences of electricity theft.