FirstPower Takes Over Anambra’s Power Distribution, Launches Mass Metering to End Estimated Billing
The Managing Director of FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company Ltd., Mr. Okechukwu Okafor, has declared that Anambra State will become the model for the transformation of Nigeria’s energy sector, following the company’s takeover of electricity distribution in the state.
FirstPower recently secured a distribution licence from the Anambra State Electricity Regulatory Commission (ASERC), thereby ending the role of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) in the state’s electricity supply.
Speaking during an interview with journalists in Awka, Okafor described the development as a “landmark event” for both FirstPower and Anambra State, noting that the company has been preparing for the transition for several months in anticipation of the legal framework establishing ASERC.
“We want all stakeholders to know that it is no longer EEDC. FirstPower, an independent company, is now in charge of power distribution in Anambra,” he stated.
Okafor said the company would collaborate closely with the Anambra State Electricity Regulatory Commission, industrial groups, and host communities to improve power supply and service delivery. He added that FirstPower would also work with the media to ensure transparency and boost public understanding of electricity distribution processes.
“We are committed to the state’s progress, especially in the power sector. The perception of the sector as exploitative will change. Our focus is on the customer, because the customer is the platform for our success,” he said.
Addressing concerns over billing, the Managing Director noted that a significant number of consumers were dissatisfied due to poor understanding of billing patterns, which is further compounded by unmetered supply and power theft.
“Our priority is to ensure that all consumers are fully metered. Estimated billing comes with variations, and unmetered consumption leads to energy losses and injustice to innocent customers,” he explained.
Okafor revealed that FirstPower pays the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) for all power supplied to the state but continues to face heavy losses due to unmetered usage and illegal connections.
To curb the challenge, he announced that FirstPower will begin a mass metering programme next week, with a more expansive phase scheduled for January 2026. He disclosed that the Federal Government and the World Bank have shown support for the initiative and called on the Anambra State Government and private investors to collaborate.
“Metering is not a small task. It requires huge investment, but it is essential for accountability and fairness. By the end of 2027, there will be a significant change in Anambra’s power landscape and, ultimately, in the South-East,” Okafor assured.
He expressed confidence that FirstPower’s customer-focused and transparent approach would set a new benchmark for power distribution not only in Anambra but across Nigeria’s electricity sector.
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