Anambra state government through Anambra State Electricity Regulatory Commission (ASERC) on Thursday issued an interim license to FirstPower Electricity Company Ltd., as electricity distributor in the state.
Frank Okafor, the managing director and Chief Executive Officer of ASERC, said that the aim was to ensure steady power supply in every part of the state.
He said the licensing was to formalise the company’s presence and inform stakeholders that this is no longer EEDC 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 Ndi 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,” Okafor said.
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He said the government of Prof. 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.
According to him, with the new issuance of a temporary license to FirstPower which will last for one year, the commission will be looking forward to improved power, while also vowing that it will ensure thorough oversight over the activities of the company to ensure that targets are met.
“Today, history is made in our dear Anambra state. A journey to adequately regulate the energy sector, in particular, the Electricity Business in Anambra state is commenced. The whistle was blown by the Governor himself, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo CFR, who, on Oct. 9, 2025 inaugurated five distinguished professionals as commissioners to midwife the Anambra State Electricity Regulatory Commission (ASERC).
“We thank the Anambra State House of Assembly who brought the Anambra State Electricity Law (ANEL) into life. 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 State, from NERC to the Anambra State Electricity Regulatory Commission.
“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 the State in line with the provisions of the Law.
“One such delicate operator is FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company Limited (FPEDC), and consequently, the Commission has deemed it expedient to legalize its operations in the state by the issuance of an interim license. We warn that there are terms and conditions for these, and we will regulate strictly.”
Praveen Chorghade, the group managing director of EEDC, the parent body of FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company, who was represented by Dr Ernest Mupwaya while receiving the certificate assured that the company will surpass the expectations of the state government in terms of performance.
He said: “FirstPower, our subsidiary responsible for distribution activities within Anambra State, is a product of that forward-looking strategy. Until today, FirstPower operated under the NERC licence issued to EEDC.
“However, the operating licence being conferred by the Anambra State Electricity Regulatory Commission marks an important milestone in a transition that will ultimately deliver a vibrant, competitive and dynamic electricity market in Anambra State.
“For us at EEDC and FirstPower, we can confidently say that we are fully aligned with the state’s development aspirations.
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“Our growth plans for FirstPower are deliberately structured to complement the state’s industrialisation agenda, urban expansion, agricultural development and SME competitiveness.
“We see in Anambra a transformation template that other jurisdictions experiencing challenges can study and adapt. FirstPower is ready to operate as a fully licensed entity under the state’s regulatory framework while continuing to uphold the highest standards of service delivery, safety, environmental stewardship and operational excellence,” Mupwaya said.
The certificate issuing ceremony was attended by officials of Anambra State government, including the Commissioners for Information, Dr Law Mefor and Power and Water Resources, Julius Chukwuemeka.
