By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The Management of FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company Limited (FirstPower DisCo) over the weekend, held another edition of its 2026 Customer Engagement Forum, this time for customers under the Ogidi/Obosi/Aguleri Districts, as part of its continued efforts to strengthen customer relations, promote transparency, and address concerns relating to electricity supply and service delivery in Anambra State.
The engagement forum, which held barely one month after a similar program was organized for customers in Awka/Enugwu-Ukwu Districts, brought together customers, community leaders, industry stakeholders, and Management staff of FirstPower in a highly interactive session aimed at providing updates on the company’s operations, explaining the realities of the electricity sector and value chain, sharing safety tips, as well as receiving feedback, and exploring practical ways of improving service delivery across the districts and the state at large.
In his opening remarks at the event, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Okechukwu Okafor, who reflected on Nigeria’s electricity sector, acknowledged customers’ patience and concerns over the power supply situation and other prevailing challenges in the sector which affect the company’s services in the state. While attributing the recent drop in electricity supply to the reduced power generation by generation companies (GenCos) mainly caused by gas supply constraints; he, however, acknowledged that supply has slightly improved in recent days, even as efforts are still ongoing to further improve and stabilize supply.
As part of FirstPower’s efforts towards improving its service in Anambra, the MD disclosed the company’s plans to commence embedded generation in state to reduce dependence on the national grid, further adding that plans are already in motion towards making the vision a reality. He also announced the establishment of FirstPower’s meter lab in Onitsha with a production capacity of about 2,500 meters daily to ensure regular meter availability for customers.
While urging customers to apply for prepaid metres, the MD also advised them to follow approved procedures to apply for meters or visit the nearest District office in their areas to enable timely and efficient response, processing and deployment, and to avoid falling victim of fake ‘meter agents.’
The MD also frowned against incidences of electricity theft in the state and the high rate of meter bypass, meter tampering, vandalism of power infrastructure, and non-payment for electricity consumed, further describing such trends as part of major setbacks that undermine efforts towards service improvement. He called for stronger collaboration with stakeholders, including communities, security agencies, and the media, to curb the menace.
In his presentation on safety standards, the FirstPower Head of Health, Safety and Environment, Engr. Tosin Fadairo, using video demonstrations, sensitized customers on the need for electrical safety, proper handling of installations, and avoidance of unsafe practices around power lines, transformers, and right-of-way areas. He warned against illegal connections, tampering with equipment, and other actions capable of endangering lives and damaging critical infrastructure.
The engagement forum featured an extensive interactive session during which participants from different parts of the three districts raised their respective concerns and asked relevant questions over power supply, billing, metering, feeder capacity, transformer faults, and response time, as well as commended FirstPower for organizing such an educative and interactive forum for customers.
The event was also graced by some top Management staff of FirstPower, including the Chief Technical Officer, Dr. Emeka Egbujor; the Chief Commercial Officer, Dr. Mrs. Nnenna Obi; the Head of Customer Service, Mrs. Obianuju Okafor; and the Head Technical, Engr. Okwudili Udechukwu, who joined voices with the MD and the District Head to provide clarifications and responses to the customers’ inquiries and complaints, while further assuring that all genuine concerns raised at the event would receive necessary attention and action.
More photos from the event:
