By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The Management of FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company Limited has sought stronger collaboration with the Anambra State Government to improve its services across the state and to address critical challenges confronting the power sector, including energy theft, infrastructure vandalism, right-of-way violations, among others.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company Limited, Engr. Okechukwu Okafor made the call on Friday when he led a delegation of the company on a courtesy visit to the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mrs. Chiamaka Nnake, at the Light House, Awka.
Speaking during the visit, Engr. Okafor congratulated the SSG on her appointment, describing her emergence as Anambra State’s first female Secretary to the State Government as historic and well-deserved.
He noted that FirstPower was not approaching the Government as a stranger, stressing that the company and its Board share a longstanding relationship with the administration of Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo and remain fully committed to the Governor’s vision of building a liveable and industrialized homeland.
According to him, the confidence reposed in the State’s development agenda informed the company’s significant investment in the electricity sector, culminating in the acquisition of its operating licence from the Anambra State Electricity Regulatory Commission (ASERC).
While reaffirming the company’s commitment to transforming electricity distribution in the state, the Managing Director said FirstPower had encountered a number of systemic challenges that require closer partnership with the Government to overcome.
He explained that the company does not generate electricity but relies on power allocated through the national grid, which is frequently affected by gas supply constraints, generation shortfalls and grid disturbances that often result in outages beyond the company’s control.
Engr. Okafor further disclosed that FirstPower inherited a heavily degraded electricity infrastructure that requires enormous and sustained capital investment to rehabilitate and modernize, even as it battles recurring cases of energy theft, meter bypass, vandalism of power assets and other forms of commercial losses. He added that these challenges often trigger public dissatisfaction, particularly regarding electricity tariffs and billing, despite the company’s efforts to improve service delivery.
The MD, however, emphasized that FirstPower has remained focused on delivering value to customers, noting that the company has embarked on an aggressive prepaid metering programme aimed at closing the metering gap, eliminating estimated billing and restoring customer confidence in the electricity distribution system.
He revealed that the company recently marked its first anniversary on June 1 and has recorded significant milestones within its first year of operations, particularly in network improvements, customer service enhancement, metering initiatives and efforts geared towards repositioning the electricity sector in Anambra State.
To accelerate these gains, Engr. Okafor appealed for the support of the SSG’s office in three critical areas, namely enforcement of energy laws against vandals and perpetrators of meter bypass, enforcement of right-of-way regulations around electricity installations and collaboration in communicating regulatory developments and sector realities to the public.
He gave an overview of how each of these affects human lives and safety, the company’s service delivery, critical infrastructure, economic standpoints, and investor confidence in the state. The MD concluded that, with sustained government support and stakeholder collaboration, Anambra State possesses the potential to become a national model for electricity sector reforms and efficient power distribution.
Responding, the new SSG, Mrs. Nnake, assured the company of the Government’s support and willingness to strengthen collaboration in addressing challenges confronting the sector. She expressed appreciation for the visit and acknowledged the importance of a stable and efficient electricity system to the socio-economic development of the state.
The SSG pledged support for stronger enforcement of energy laws and measures aimed at curbing energy theft, meter bypass and vandalism of electricity infrastructure, noting that such practices undermine investments and negatively affect service delivery.
She also assured the company of government collaboration in enforcing right-of-way regulations and tackling trading activities around high-tension lines and power installations in order to improve public safety and protect critical infrastructure.
Mrs. Nnake further pledged to partner with FirstPower in communicating regulatory developments and electricity sector reforms to residents and businesses across the state, with a view to fostering greater understanding and cooperation among consumers.
Drawing from her personal experiences with the services provided by the company, the SSG urged FirstPower to intensify efforts towards improving service delivery, particularly in the area of metering and response time when there is a fault.
While reaffirming the Soludo administration’s commitment to building a liveable, secure and prosperous homeland, she emphasized the need for continuous collaboration between government and critical service providers such as FirstPower, and other potential investors this that will facilitate the realization of the Governor’s vision for Ndị Anambra.
The visit ended with both parties expressing optimism that deeper cooperation between FirstPower and the Anambra State Government would not only strengthen electricity service delivery but also contribute significantly to economic growth, industrial development and improved quality of life for residents of the state.
The FirstPower delegation also comprised the Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Ndubuisi Ekeopara; Chief Commercial Officer, Dr. Mrs. Nnenna Obi; Head, Customer Service, Mrs. Obianuju Okafor; Head, Regulatory, Mrs. Ngozi Mba; Head of Operations, Engr. Ifeoma Uba; Head, Business Intelligence Unit, Mr. Olabisi Odumosu; and Head, Security, Mr. Sam Uduak.
