By Izunna Okafor, Awka
FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company Limited has reaffirmed its commitment to partnering with the Anambra State Ministry of Power and Water Resources to build a resilient, sustainable, and booming electricity market in the state, with the Ministry pledging stronger alliance and full support towards tackling energy theft, vandalism and other threats affecting the sector.
The commitments were made on Friday during a courtesy visit by the Management Team of FirstPower to the Ministry in Awka, where the Team also officially congratulated and familiarized the new Power Commissioner in the Ministry.
The delegation, led by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FirstPower, Engr. Okechukwu Okafor, included the Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Ndubuisi Ekeopara; Chief Commercial Officer, Dr. Mrs. Nnenna Obi; Head of Customer Service, Mrs. Obianuju Okafor; Head of Regulatory, Mrs. Ngozi Mba; Head of Operations, Engr. Ifeoma Uba; Head of Business Intelligence Unit, Mr. Olabisi Odumosu; and Head of Security, Mr. Sam Uduak.
Receiving the delegation were the Commissioner for Power and Water Resources, Engr. Casmir Agumadu; the Permanent Secretary, Sir Victor Ezekwo; Technical Assistant to the Commissioner, Engr. Emeka Onuora; Head of Electrical Services, Engr. Nwanne Anigbogu; PA to the Commissioner, Onyinye Ilodigwe; and the Ministry’s Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Azuka Ofor.
Speaking during the meeting, the Managing Director of FirstPower, Engr. Okafor, congratulated the Commissioner on his appointment and described the Ministry as a critical institution in driving Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s vision of a liveable and prosperous homeland.
He noted that the company’s investment in Anambra was inspired by confidence in the state’s electricity reforms and expressed optimism that closer collaboration with the Ministry would accelerate the transformation of the sector.
Giving a highlight of the company’s milestones in the last one year, Engr. Okafor also highlighted some of the major operational challenges confronting the company, including limited power supply from the national grid, ageing inherited infrastructure, energy theft, vandalism of electricity assets and meter bypass, all of which continue to impact service delivery.
He disclosed that FirstPower has intensified its prepaid metering programme and network improvement initiatives aimed at promoting transparency, reducing estimated billing and improving customer satisfaction. He further announced that three new meter vendors have been added to further improve the company’s meter services, further noting that the FirstPower meter lab in Onitsha remains fully active and operational.
The Managing Director, however, appealed for stronger institutional collaboration through joint enforcement against energy theft and vandalism, stricter protection of power corridors and right-of-way, as well as coordinated public sensitization to deepen consumer understanding of ongoing electricity sector reforms.
Responding, Mr. Commissioner, Engr. Agumadu, commended FirstPower for the remarkable progress it has recorded within a short period of operation in Anambra State, observing that many residents often overlook improvements while paying attention only to service disruptions and shortfalls.
He assured the company of the Ministry’s solid commitment to working with relevant security agencies, including local security structures and the Homeland Security outfit, to combat vandalism, energy theft and other illegal activities threatening electricity infrastructure across the state.
The Commissioner emphasized that government remains committed to creating an enabling environment that protects investments while ensuring improved service delivery to consumers, noting that collaboration between regulators, operators and citizens remains key to achieving a stable electricity market.
He also recommended the deployment of CCTV surveillance systems and solar-powered street lights around critical electricity installations to deter vandals, while urging FirstPower to sustain aggressive public enlightenment campaigns on energy safety and the consequences of electricity theft.
Discussions at the meeting also extend to network expansion, improving response time during outages and strengthening operational efficiency, with both parties expressing confidence that sustained collaboration would further enhance electricity supply and support the realization of Governor Soludo’s vision of a liveable and prosperous homeland.
