By Our Correspondent
In line with its commitment to transparency, customer engagement, and service improvement, FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company Limited on Wednesday received a delegation from Ifite-Awka community over recent power supply disruptions and billing concerns affecting customers on the Ifite-Awka Feeder.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Company’s Head of Communications, Mr. Izunna Okafor, following the courtesy visit held on February 25, 2026, at the Corporate Headquarters of FirstPower in Awka, Anambra State.
According to the statement, the delegation, operating under the umbrella of IFITENATỌ Community and representing the three constituent villages of Enu-Ifite, Ezinato, and Agbana, had requested the engagement to seek clarification on the noticeable decline in electricity supply and what they described as unusual billing patterns recorded in recent months.
The community team included the Chairman of Enu-Ifite Village, Chief Engr. Christian Anachuna; Chairman of Agbana Village, Chief Engr. Emeka Okoye; Chairman of Ezinato Village, Comrade Festus Uche Nwoye; Councilor representing Awka Ward 2, Hon. Engr. Ejike Ibegbunam; and former Chairman of Ezinato Village, Mr. Lawrence Okeke, among other stakeholder comprising both indigenes and non-indigenes resident in Ifite-Awka.
Presenting their concerns, the leaders noted that the feeder had previously enjoyed Band A supply averaging between 20 and 24 hours daily, but said the situation had deteriorated significantly since November 2025, with supply dropping to approximately 10 hours or less in many instances. They also expressed concern over electricity bills issued for December 2025 and January 2026, which they observed were higher than charges recorded during periods of more stable supply.
While acknowledging that the development had generated anxiety and frustration within the community, the delegation emphasized that residents remained law-abiding and committed to constructive dialogue. They explained that their visit was guided by the need for clarity, mutual understanding, and sustainable resolution, rather than confrontation.
Responding on behalf of Management, the Chief Technical Officer, Dr. Emeka Egbujor; Chief Commercial Officer, Dr. Nnenna Priscilla Obi; and Head of Customer Service, Mrs. Obianuju Okafor, who were delegated by the Managing Director, Mr. Okechukwu Okafor, commended the community leaders for their mature and constructive approach in seeking engagement.
The Company apologized for the inconveniences experienced and clarified that the recent drop in supply was not peculiar to Ifite-Awka nor directly caused by FirstPower. Management attributed the disruption primarily to load management challenges on the Mando–Shiroro transmission line, which significantly affected energy allocation to the state. Although the fault had reportedly been cleared and the line restored a few days ago, the Company explained that it may take up to 72 hours for the system to stabilize fully and deliver improved supply comparable to previous levels.
FirstPower also provided updates on the ongoing maintenance work at the Awada/Obosi 150MVA Transmission Station. The Company explained that since the occurrence of the fault at the facility, the Agu-Awka Injection Substation had been temporarily back-feeding from New Haven as a contingency measure. While this arrangement ensured continuity of supply, it came with reduced energy capacity, thereby affecting feeders connected to the substation, including Ifite-Awka. Management assured that full restoration of the transmission infrastructure would significantly improve and normalize supply conditions.
On billing, the Company gave what it described as a technical breakdown of its methodology, stressing that billing is not arbitrary but derived from actual energy recorded on the Distribution System (DS) meter installed at each transformer. It explained that when calculated at the end of each cycle, before billing, energy consumed by prepaid customers (which is already paid for) is deducted, while the balance is systematically shared and billed on postpaid customers connected to the transformer. The statement clarified that billing is tied strictly to energy units consumed and not solely to the number of hours electricity was supplied.
Management further explained that during periods of irregular supply, consumers often switch on multiple high-energy appliances simultaneously whenever power is restored due to uncertainty about how long it will last. This, FirstPower Management explained, results in heavy instantaneous load and accelerated consumption within short timeframes, which is reflected in the transformer meter and subsequently in monthly bills. Consequently, it clarified that during a period of unsteady supply, a household or community may consume within a few days the volume of energy that would ordinarily be spread over a longer period when there is steady supply.
The Company also addressed the negative impact of energy theft, illegal connections and meter bypass, noting that such infractions inflate the total energy recorded on the transformer. At the end of the cycle, the burden of that unaccounted consumption is borne by compliant postpaid customers. Residents were therefore urged to expose and report any cases of energy theft, as overlooking such practices ultimately increases shared billing for law-abiding consumers.
“Illegal connections, night-time tapping, and bypass of prepaid meters increase the total energy recorded on the transformer’s DS meter. At the end of the billing cycle, the burden of that consumption is borne by bill-paying customers (those on post-paid)
“Always expose and report such infractions when you see them, rather than keeping quiet. Overlooking energy theft ultimately results in higher shared bills for law-abiding consumers,” the statement partly read.
Notwithstanding the constraints, FirstPower reaffirmed its commitment to fairness, transparency and regulatory compliance. The Management, according to the statement, noted that where service levels fall below approved standards and overbilling is established, appropriate adjustments, refunds or credits are effected in line with regulatory guidelines.
According to Okafor in the statement, customers who are dissatisfied with estimated billing were also encouraged to apply for prepaid meters to enable direct monitoring and better control of their consumption.
The Head of Communications further noted that the meeting ended on a cordial note, with the Ifite-Awka delegation expressing satisfaction with the explanations provided, even as both parties committed to sustained dialogue, mutual understanding and collaborative efforts toward improved service delivery.
FirstPower, it was gathered, also reiterated its dedication to strengthening customer confidence, protecting critical electricity infrastructure, and delivering quality and reliable power supply to Ndị Anambra.
More photos from the visit:
