By Izunna Okafor, Awka
FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company Limited has reaffirmed its commitment to improving electricity service delivery across Anambra State.
The company gave the assurance on Tuesday, June 2, during the official signing of four key electricity market regulations by the Anambra State Electricity Regulatory Commission (ASERC), which has been described as another major milestone in the state’s ongoing electricity sector reforms.
The regulations, which were formally signed at a high-level stakeholders’ event that held at the ASERC Complex in Awka, are expected to provide the operational framework for the emerging Anambra electricity market, while also defining the rights, responsibilities and obligations of consumers, operators and investors within the sector.
Speaking during the event, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company Limited, Engr. Okechukwu Okafor, who attended the event with the powerful team of the company’s Management staff, hailed the extensive consultations and collaborative engagements that preceded the formulation of the regulations, describing the new framework as a critical step towards building a sustainable and investment-friendly electricity market in the state.
While acknowledging existing gaps across the electricity value chain, Engr. Okafor said FirstPower’s goal remains to bridge those gaps and modernize the network in order to provide better services to Ndi Anambra.
He noted that grid instability, inadequate transmission and distribution infrastructure, and persistent gaps in power availability continue to pose significant challenges to operators and consumers alike.
According to him, addressing those challenges would require collective efforts from regulators, operators, investors and customers, stressing that rebuilding a truly resilient electricity network cannot be achieved without substantial private-sector investments and adequate protection of revenue streams.
The FirstPower Boss expressed confidence in the new regulatory framework, noting that the regulations were developed by a regulatory team with deep industry knowledge and technical expertise that understands the delicate balance between operational excellence and commercial viability.
“As this document is signed today, our stakeholders hold clear expectations for both sides,” he said, while reassuring that FirstPower would continue to play its expected role under the new framework and work closely with stakeholders to build a sustainable electricity market where investments are protected and consumers are reliably served.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Chairman of ASERC, Prof. Frank Okafor, described the occasion as a defining moment for the Commission and the development of Anambra State’s electricity market.
According to him, the journey to a befitting Anambra electricity market began in April 2025 when Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo signed the Anambra State Electricity Bill into law, followed by the constitution and inauguration of the Commission in October of the same year.
He explained that the regulations signed include the Customer Protection Regulations 2026; Licence and Operating Fees Regulations 2026; Application for Licences (Generation, Distribution and Trading) Regulations 2026; and the Investment in Electricity Market Regulations 2026.
Prof. Okafor noted that the regulations contain provisions designed to guarantee and protect the rights of electricity consumers, service providers and other stakeholders in the sector.
He also challenged prevailing misconceptions about electricity distribution, emphasizing that power distribution is not an ATM machine or automatic money-making venture, but a capital-intensive investment that requires significant effort, sacrifice and long-term commitment before returns can be realized, with expected standard of service.
The ASERC Chairman further explained that the signing of the regulations marks the beginning of a new journey of stronger collaboration among key stakeholders, including ASERC, FirstPower, customers, the Ministry of Power, Ministry of Information, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Ministry of Lands and other relevant government institutions and stakeholders whose roles are crucial to the success of the sector.
He stressed that operators must understand the realities of the evolving electricity market, including the fact that there is no monopoly, while urging all stakeholders to embrace healthy competition and collaboration for the benefit of electricity consumers.
Also speaking, the State Commissioner for Power, Engr. Casmir Agummadu, described the signing as a significant stepping stone towards building a stronger electricity market capable of supporting Governor Soludo’s vision of a livable and prosperous homeland and a smart mega city.
He emphasized that the importance of regulations in the electricity sector cannot be overemphasized; even as he commended FirstPower for its efforts in serving the state, while further encouraging the company to continue improving its services.
Similarly speaking, the State Commissioner for Information and Value Orientation, Dr. Law Mefor, praised ASERC for driving the regulatory process and also commended FirstPower for the improved electricity services being experienced across the state at the moment.
Highlighting several transformational projects and initiatives of the Soludo administration, including the New Niger City, Aerotropolis, Anambra Mixed-Use Industrial City (AMIC) and Awka City Park, he stressed that electricity remains fundamental to their success.
According to him, electricity is the foundation upon which the new Anambra envisioned by the government will be built, noting that the dream of a smart mega city cannot become meaningful without reliable power and road infrastructure.
In his own goodwill message, the Commissioner for Petroleum Resources, Prof. Charles Ofoegbu, commended ASERC for its efforts towards stabilizing and strengthening the state’s electricity market.
He also applauded FirstPower for its interventions in addressing power supply challenges across different communities, particularly citing the company’s urgent responses to electricity-related issues in Agu Awka, Ukpor and Ozubulu.
While acknowledging the company’s commitment to customer satisfaction, he encouraged the management to sustain its efforts towards more improved service delivery.
Earlier before the official signing of the regulations, the Executive Commissioner in charge of Legal, Licensing and Enforcement, Barr. Chijioke Nnaemeka Obi, gave a detailed overview of the extensive processes that culminated in the formulation of the regulations.
He explained that the process involved a series of stakeholder engagements and public consultations held across Awka, Onitsha, Nnewi and Ekwulobia, alongside other statutory procedures required by law before the regulations could be finalized.
In a vote of thanks, the Vice Chairman of ASERC and Executive Commissioner in charge of Technical Regulations, Engr. Geoffrey Nwokoye, emphasized that the effectiveness of the regulations would depend largely on collaboration among stakeholders.
He noted that while the formulation and signing of the regulations marked an important achievement, the ultimate test would be their effective implementation to ensure that the objectives of the regulations are fully realized.
The event was attended by the ASERC Executive Commissioner in charge of Consumer Affairs, Planning, Regulation and Strategy, Engr. Nosike Emmanuel; ASERC Executive Commissioner in charge of Market Competition and Economic Regulations, Dr. Nnaemeka Ewelukwa; State Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Sir Vin Ezeaka, represented by Mrs. Anulika Mgbechikwelu; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Engr. Sir Victor Ezekwo; among other key stakeholders in the electricity sector.
The official signing of the regulations by the ASERC Chairman formed the highpoint of the event, drawing commendations from the stakeholders and participants who described the development as a major step towards building a more transparent, investment-friendly and sustainable electricity market in Anambra State.
More photos from the event:
