By OGEMDI OZOEMENAM, Awka
The Anambra State Electricity Regulatory Commission (ANSERC) has issued licence to FirstPower Distribution Company Limited (FPEDC) as its Subsidiary to give constant electricity to residents of the state.
The event which took place in Awka, had in attendance the Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, his Power & Water Resources counterpart, Engr Julius Chukwuemeka, Commissioners of the ANSERC, Executive Team of FirstPower, Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) Team, Esteemed partners, and the media.
Addressing the gathering, the Chairman/CEO
Anambra State Electricity Regulatory Commission, Prof Frank Okafor said the interim licencing to FirstPower is geared towards legalizing it’s operational services in the distribution of Electricity in the state.
This, he said, will be regularised after one year of FirstPower’s interim operation for full licence.
“Following the Transfer, and in consideration of extant provisions of the Anambra State Electricity Law (the Law), 2025, particularly Section 33 of the Law, only companies issued with a licence under the Law are authorized to participate in the new Electricity Market in Anambra State.
“However, some of these entities may already be rendering service to customers which must not be disrupted due to no-licence status. Meanwhile, the process of regularization of an existing licence follows a procedure that is deliberately thorough.
“Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, please note that the weight of a Licence is measured by it’s Terms and Conditions (T&C). The vice Chairman of ASERC, Engr. Nwokoye will elaborate on the technical T&C while Dr.Ewelukwa highlights on the Economic T&C,” Prof Okafor said.
While ensuring that the Electricity Business in Anambra state has commenced, the ANSERC Boss thanked Governor Soludo for Inaugrating five Commissioners to man the Anambra State Electricity Regulatory Commission (ANSERC) that oversee the activities of the electricity laws.
“We equally want to assure Ndi Anambra that with this new development, they will enjoy quality and available power supply during this Christmas and New Year Celebrations.”
the Managing Director EEDC, Engr. Praveen Chorghade represented by Engr Dr Ernest Mupwaya said the issuance of operating licence being conferred by ANSERC to Firstpower marks an important milestone in a transition that will ultimately deliver a vibrant, competitive and dynamic electricity market in Anambra State.
“Anambra State is open for electricity investment, open for innovation and open for accelerated progress. EEDC and FirstPower remain committed to deepening our partnership with Anambra State. We are determined to invest in infrastructure, deploy technology that enhances efficiency, strengthen customer engagement and support the emergence of a resilient and future-ready electricity market.
FirstPower as EEDC subsidiary is responsible for distribution activities within Anambra State, although operated under the NERC licence issued to EEDC.
He noted that the objective is to ensure that the people and businesses of Anambra enjoy reliable, affordable and sustainable power that drives economic prosperity and social wellbeing.
Engr Mupwaya maintained that the reforms introduced by the Electricity Act of 2023 have fundamentally reshaped the structure, governance, and future growth trajectory of our sector.
“For the first time, states have been empowered to craft regulatory frameworks, electricity laws, policies and market structures tailored to the specific needs of their geographies. This bold decentralisation has ignited a wave of innovation across the country, and Anambra State has emerged as one of the leading examples of strategic, deliberate and visionary implementation”.
He however, assured that EEDC and FirstPower are fully aligned with the state’s development aspirations.The reforms being implemented have created enabling conditions for accelerated investment, network expansion, improved customer service and modernisation of the electricity value chain.
“Our growth plans for FirstPower are deliberately structured to complement the state’s industrialisation agenda, urban expansion, agricultural development and SME competitiveness”.
Engr Chorghade also confirmed that FirstPower is ready to operate as a fully licensed entity under the state’s regulatory framework while continuing to uphold the highest standards of service delivery, safety, environmental stewardship and operational excellence.
Earlier, the Managing Director Firstpower Electricity Distribution Company, Mr Okechukwu Okafor, said the licensing was to formalise the company’s presence in the state and inform stakeholders that EEDC is no longer in charge but an independent body saddled with the responsibility of distributing electricity in Anambra state.
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“We are going to partner with the industrialists, the state government, and Ndi Anambra for them to understand that our presence is geared towards a better solution to electricity. We want to change the negative perception of power extortion against customers, hence our target is to make them happy. We need to take the message to them, provided there is goodwill. We also hope that by the end of 2027, all customers will be billed right by ensuring that they are metered for easy accountability.
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