FirstPower Gets License To Distribute Power In Anambra
Anambra government through Anambra State Electricity Regulatory Commission (ASERC) on Thursday issued an interim license to First Power Electricity Company Limited, as electricity distributor in the state.
Prof. Frank Okafor, Chairman Chief Executive Officer of ASERC who handed over the license said the movie was in an effort to ensure steady power supply in every part of the state.
Okafor said the Gov. Chukwuma Soludo was poised to make the state a choice destination, and this cannot be achieved if power still remains a luxury in the state.
He said the Commission was hoping that the issuance of the temporary license to FirstPower, which would last for one year, would lead to improved power availability.
He assured that the Commission would ensure thorough oversight over the activities of the company to ensure that targets are met.
Okafor said the Commission, after due consideration, passed a resolution to issue interim licenses to companies licensed by NERC, and currently operational in the State, in order to legalize their operations in line with the provisions of the Law.
“Today, history is made in our dear Anambra, a journey to adequately regulate the energy sector, in particular, the Electricity Business in Anambra State has just begun.
“The whistle was blown by the governor himself who, on Oct. 9 inaugurated five distinguished professionals as commissioners to midwife the ASERC.
“After the inauguration of ASERC Commissioners, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) issued an Order of Transfer of Regulatory Oversight of the Electricity Market in Anambra, from NERC to ASERC.
“One such delicate operator is FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company Limited, and consequently, the Commission has deemed it expedient to legalise its operations in the state by the issuance of an interim license, ” he said.
Mr Praveen Chorghade, the Group Managing Director of The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) said the exercise was in line with the reforms introduced by the Electricity Act of 2023.
Chorghade who was represented by Dr Ernest Mupwaya said EEDC recognised early that the reforms in the market would depend on readiness, collaboration and willingness to embrace the change.
He commended the support from the Anambra government and its commitment to a strong electricity sector which was evident in the development of the State Electricity Law, the State Electricity Policy and the Integrated Resource Plan.
“FirstPower, our subsidiary responsible for distribution activities within Anambra, is a product of that forward-looking strategy, until today, FirstPower operated under the NERC licence issued to EEDC.
“FirstPower is deliberately structured to complement the state’s industrialisation agenda, urban expansion, agricultural development and small and medium enterprise competitiveness.
“We see in Anambra a transformation template that other jurisdictions experiencing challenges can study and adapt.
“The state has shown that with the right leadership, clear policies, structured engagement and professional regulatory oversight, the objectives of the Electricity Act 2023 can be achieved smoothly and sustainably,” it said
Chorghade thanked Gov. Chukwuma Soludo and the government of Anambra for the vision and leadership that have brought the company to the moment.
Earlier in his speech, Managing Director Firstpower Electricity Distribution Company prof. Okechukwu Okafor, said the licensing was to formalise the company’s presence.
Okafor told stakeholders that EEDC was no longer in charge but an independent body saddled with the responsibility of distributing electricity in Anambra.
“We are going to partner with the industrialists, the state government and the people of Anambra so that they will understand that our presence is geared towards a better solution to electricity.
“We want to change the narrative and target the customers to be happy.
“We need to take the message to them, provided there is goodwill. We hope that by the end of 2027, the billing rights of the customer will be metered for easy accountability,” he said.
On his part, Okechukwu Okafor, the Managing Director Firstpower Electricity Distribution Company Limited, said the licensing formalised the company’s presence in the state.
He said distribution in Anambra was now under an independent body adding that they were ready to partner industrialists, government, and people of Anambra.
He said FirstPower operations were geared towards a better solution to electricity.
“We hope that by the end of 2027, the billing rights of the
customer will be metered for easy accountability.”
