The FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company Ltd. has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthened institutional collaboration, improved electricity supply, and general service delivery in Anambra State.
The energy distribution company gave the assurance at its Corporate Headquarters in Awka on Thursday when it received the leadership of the EFCC Awka Zonal Directorate, marking the first official inter-agency engagement between the newly created EFCC Zonal Directorate and the electricity distribution firm.
According to a statement issued to newsmen by the FirstPower Head of Communications, Mr. Izunna Okafor, the visit also formed part of the EFCC Directorate’s familiarisation tour and its resolve to build strong institutional relationships critical to its mandate in Anambra State.
Mr. Okafor said the high-profile delegation was led by the Head of the EFCC Awka Zonal Directorate, Mr. Atiba Ofen-Imu, in company of some other senior officers of the Commission, further describing it as part of its deliberate effort to build strong working relationships with key institutions in the state.
Speaking during the meeting, the EFCC Zonal Director highlighted the indispensable role of stable electricity supply in the fight against corruption and financial crimes. According to him, effective investigation, digital analysis, intelligence gathering, documentation, and prosecution processes are power-dependent, and as such, the Commission cannot operate optimally without reliable electricity.
He noted that since assuming duty in Anambra, he had observed the ongoing power supply challenges within the state. However, having worked closely with issues concerning Generation Companies (GENCOs), Distribution Companies (DISCOs), and the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) at the national level, he acknowledged the earlier clarification that the situation is not peculiar to Anambra State alone but reflects broader national grid constraints. He expressed appreciation for the clarifications provided by FEDC’s Management regarding energy transmission limitations and pledged mutual understanding going forward.
The Zonal Director further explained that the Awka Directorate is currently operating from a temporary location pending relocation to its permanent site, which may take several years. He therefore emphasized the need for coordinated power distribution support to stabilize the Commission’s operations in the interim, adding that the visit was also to formally notify FEDC of the Directorate’s presence in the state and establish a framework for ongoing collaboration.
Responding, the Managing Director of FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company Ltd., Mr. Okechukwu Okafor, warmly welcomed the EFCC delegation and described the engagement as apt and strategic. He disclosed that the Company had earlier considered initiating a visit to the EFCC Directorate, recognizing the importance of aligning with critical national institutions operating within the state.
The Managing Director assured the Commission of the Company’s commitment to doing its utmost, within available energy allocation, to stabilize supply to the Directorate’s facility. He noted that the current supply to the EFCC office is routed through a public transformer arrangement, which is not ideal for a high-priority security institution, and assured that technical assessments would be undertaken to improve reliability and quality of supply.
The FirstPower MD also highlighted the existence of the Special Investigation and Prosecution Task Force on Electricity Offences (SIPTEO), a Federal Government task force established to investigate and prosecute electricity theft, illegal connections, vandalism, meter tampering, and related offences nationwide. He expressed optimism that strengthened collaboration between SIPTEO and the EFCC would enhance enforcement, deter energy theft, and safeguard critical electricity infrastructure in Anambra State.
Also using the platform to address the broader issue of the recent drop in electricity supply across Anambra, the Managing Director clarified that the situation is a national challenge linked to limitations in energy generation and transmission to the state. He explained that the quantum of energy currently allocated from the national grid is significantly below expected capacity, in some instances not exceeding sixty percent of the required load for effective distribution across feeders.
He emphasized that as a distribution company, FEDC does not generate electricity but distributes what is transmitted to it from the national grid. The availability of energy at the transmission level therefore directly determines what can be supplied to customers. While acknowledging the frustrations expressed by residents, businesses, institutions, and Band A customers who are accustomed to more stable supply, he reiterated that the Company shares in the burden of the constraints and is actively engaging relevant stakeholders toward improvement.
The Head of Communications, Okafor, said the Management of FirstPower further lauded the Anambra State Government for its ongoing efforts and alternative initiatives aimed at augmenting supply and strengthening energy security within the state.
“The visit by the EFCC Awka Zonal Directorate not only tightened its synergy with the FirstPower DISCO, the two institutions also agreed that the visit marks the beginning of a strengthened partnership anchored on mutual support, operational efficiency, and the protection of national assets.
“FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company Ltd. remains committed to responsible service delivery, continuous stakeholders engagement, and strategic collaboration with public institutions as we work towards stabilized supply and improved services in the collective interest of our customers across Anambra State,” Okafor concluded.
More photos from the visit:
, Distribution Companies (DISCOs), and the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) at the national level, he acknowledged the earlier clarification that the situation is not peculiar to Anambra State alone but reflects broader national grid constraints. He expressed appreciation for the clarifications provided by FEDC’s Management regarding energy transmission limitations and pledged mutual understanding going forward. The Zonal Director further explained that the Awka Directorate is currently operating from a temporary location pending relocation to its permanent site, which may take several years. He therefore emphasized the need for coordinated power distribution support to stabilize the Commission’s operations in the interim, adding that the visit was also to formally notify FEDC of the Directorate’s presence in the state and establish a framework for ongoing collaboration. Responding, the Managing Director of FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company Ltd., Mr. Okechukwu Okafor, warmly welcomed the EFCC delegation and described the engagement as apt and strategic. He disclosed that the Company had earlier considered initiating a visit to the EFCC Directorate, recognizing the importance of aligning with critical national institutions operating within the state. The Managing Director assured the Commission of the Company’s commitment to doing its utmost, within available energy allocation, to stabilize supply to the Directorate’s facility. He noted that the current supply to the EFCC office is routed through a public transformer arrangement, which is not ideal for a high-priority security institution, and assured that technical assessments would be undertaken to improve reliability and quality of supply. The FirstPower MD also highlighted the existence of the Special Investigation and Prosecution Task Force on Electricity Offences (SIPTEO), a Federal Government task force established to investigate and prosecute electricity theft, illegal connections, vandalism, meter tampering, and related offences nationwide. He expressed optimism that strengthened collaboration between SIPTEO and the EFCC would enhance enforcement, deter energy theft, and safeguard critical electricity infrastructure in Anambra State. Also using the platform to address the broader issue of the recent drop in electricity supply across Anambra, the Managing Director clarified that the situation is a national challenge linked to limitations in energy generation and transmission to the state. He explained that the quantum of energy currently allocated from the national grid is significantly below expected capacity, in some instances not exceeding sixty percent of the required load for effective distribution across feeders. He emphasized that as a distribution company, FEDC does not generate electricity but distributes what is transmitted to it from the national grid. The availability of energy at the transmission level therefore directly determines what can be supplied to customers. While acknowledging the frustrations expressed by residents, businesses, institutions, and Band A customers who are accustomed to more stable supply, he reiterated that the Company shares in the burden of the constraints and is actively engaging relevant stakeholders toward improvement. The Head of Communications, Okafor, said the Management of FirstPower further lauded the Anambra State Government for its ongoing efforts and alternative initiatives aimed at augmenting supply and strengthening energy security within the state. “The visit by the EFCC Awka Zonal Directorate not only tightened its synergy with the FirstPower DISCO, the two institutions also agreed that the visit marks the beginning of a strengthened partnership anchored on mutual support, operational efficiency, and the protection of national assets. “FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company Ltd. remains committed to responsible service delivery, continuous stakeholders engagement, and strategic collaboration with public institutions as we work towards stabilized supply and improved services in the collective interest of our customers across Anambra State,” Okafor concluded. More photos from the visit:){kind=link}