The Anambra State Electricity Regulatory Commission ASERC, has mandated FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company Limited, a subsidiary of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company EEDC in charge of Anambra to ensure that houses across the 21 local government area of the State are fully metered by the end of December, 2027.
ASERC Vice Chairman and Executive Commissioner for Technical Services, Engr Geoffrey Nwokoye, disclosed this while answering questions from electricity consumers at a one-day Public Consultation on the Draft Customer Protection Regulations 2026 and Public Consultation Investment Regulations 2026 meeting held at the Aguata Council headquarters Ekwulobia, on Thursday.
Nwokoye said the move marked a significant step in the state government’s push to reform the power sector capable of attracting multiple investors across the generation, transmission and distribution value chain.
He explained that the action aligns with the vision and mission of Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo to expand Anambra State’s economy through increased private sector investment and improved infrastructure.
According to him, “We are trying to develop a working system and a working system cannot be successful by one player alone in this case. We need all-inclusive stakeholder’s collaboration to enable us achieved the set project.
“As it stands now, Anambra State has a total of 304,000 unmetered houses, which is why we are mandating FirstPower to ensure that every house in Anambra is metered by the end of December 2027.
“FirstPower is currently the dominant distributor electricity in the state and the mandate giving to them will open more door for other investors to come in and compete for the good of Ndi-Anambra.
He noted that the acceptability of FirstPower comes with strict monitoring mechanisms and performance benchmarks designed to ensure improved electricity supply for Anambra residents.
He disclosed that ASERC would closely track the company’s operations through regular engagement and performance monitoring.
We will be keeping eyes on FirstPower system, to how much energy they distribute, how many customers are on estimated billing or new connections and whether customers are metered immediately. If they do not comply with the rules, the penalties are there,” he stated.
He further noted that under the Anambra State Electricity Regulatory Commission framework, FirstPower’s distribution network would remain open to other electricity investors interested in supplying power to customers within the state.
This arrangement allows industrial clusters, commercial districts and communities to sign power purchase agreements with generation companies and utilise FirstPower’s infrastructure to transmit electricity to their locations, while paying a distribution-use-of-system charge, Nwokoye concluded.
On his part, the ASERC Chairman, Prof Frank Nwoye Okafor, said the commission is working to strengthen electricity delivery through improved regulation and oversight.
He said that Anambra state is particularly interested in investors willing to responsibly harness its resources for power generation while meeting environmental standards.
According to him, ASERC is highly committed to ensuring electricity becomes more available and affordable in Anambra state and feedback from stakeholders will help shape policies aimed at improving the sector.
Okafor stressed that improved electricity supply would stimulate economic activities and support businesses that rely on stable power.
He urged the participating consumers to always report anyone involved in electricity theft in their various communities to the appropriate authority for immediate action.
The Chairman, expressed satisfaction over the massive turnout that attended the engagement meeting.
In his response, the Managing Director of FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company Limited, Mr Okechukwu Okafor, promised to deliver as mandated.
He said the company under his watch aims to eliminate estimated billing by ensuring that all electricity consumers are metered by 2027.
“We will crash the entire metering gap by 2027. Every house in Anambra State must have a meter.
“Our success will ultimately be judged by customers and Anambra state will begin to witnessed constant electricity supply by 2027.
Okafor assure that the measure will also give room for transparency and accountability in Anambra power sector.
In their separate remarks, the Vice Chairman of Aguata Council Area, Hon Kingsley Ezeagu and the Traditional ruler of Uga community, HRH Igwe Chidi Stephen Ezenwugo (Obi of Uga), commended ASERC for organizing the engagement meeting, describing it as timely amidst public outcry.
They called on residents to continue to support FirstPower effort in order to improve electricity supply by protecting infrastructure and reporting illegal activities in their various localities.
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