Chinedum Treasure
FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company Limited has identified energy theft as the greatest threat to investment in the power sector in Nigeria and Anambra State in particular.
Managing Director, Engr Okechukwu Okafor said this on Thursday at the Anambra State Electricity Market Investment Roundtable organised by Anambra State Electricity Regulatory Commission (ASERC).
He said government must enact and enforce laws that will criminalize energy theft with deterrent consequences as major step to arrest the imminent threat.
He said, “Energy theft, in unimaginable forms by industries, institutions, and the general public, remains the greatest threat to investment in the power sector in Nigeria, particularly in our Anambra State.
“To arrest this imminent threat, Anambra state government must enact and enforce laws that will criminalize energy theft with deterrent consequences.
“While we are doing the best that we can to enlighten the citizenry, Government intervention through enforcement is paramount.”
The FirstPower MD further lamented indebtedness of consumers as well as encroachment of electricity right of way in various cities in the state, which he said had led to dangerous and life-threatening activities conducted under high voltage networks in most places across the state. .
“The level of indebtedness of consumers cutting across government institutions, military and paramilitary institutions, industries, and the general public is such that the industry is left to survive on subsidies month on month.
“The electricity right of way has been encroached upon in various cities in the state culminating in obvious dangerous and life-threatening activities being conducted under high voltage networks in most places across the state,” he decried.
Okafor however noted that amidst the attendant challenges, FirstPower was investing strategically in the improvement of its network.
He also expressed excitement over capacity of electricity consumers to pay for energy amidst challenges.
“Anambra has economically empowered population, industries, and technology desirous of enormous energy and therefore remains an investment destination within Nigeria’s Power sector,” he added.
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