By Chuks Eke—
The Anambra State Electricity Regulatory Commission (ASERC) has urged electricity consumers in the state to hold generation companies (Gencos) responsible for the limited power availability and shortcomings within the state’s power sector.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ASERC, Professor Frank Okafor, stated this during a two-day interactive town hall forum with electricity consumers in Onitsha, themed ‘Public consultation on draft regulations’.
Organised by ASERC, Professor Okafor expressed his concern that consumers consistently complain about unreliable power supply, despite the limited power available from the national grid.
He assured consumers that ASERC is working to increase power supply in the state and address issues within the power sector, while also calling for improved collaboration between electricity distribution companies (Discos) and consumers.
Okafor explained that the commission’s vision under his leadership is to ensure all electricity companies operating in the state adhere to the Anambra State Electricity Law, 2025 standard.
He appealed for patience regarding the current poor power supply, assuring consumers that efforts are being intensified to improve the situation as quickly as possible.
ASERC Executive Director for Consumer Affairs, Nosike Emmanuel, added that ASERC, guided by integrity, professionalism and transparency, regulates operators, protects consumers, and promotes investment and innovation in power generation, transmission, distribution, and supply.
Speaking separately, the Managing Director of FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company Limited, responsible for electricity distribution in Anambra State, Okechukwu Okafor, highlighted the high incidence of electricity theft across the state, which he said significantly contributes to poor power supply.
Okafor stated that FirstPower has developed strategies, including community engagement, to combat energy theft and improve service delivery and operational integrity.
He emphasised the company’s zero-tolerance policy on energy theft, including meter bypassing/tampering and transformer/cable vandalism, warning that offenders will face severe consequences.
He added that the company plans to phase out estimated billing by closing the metering gap, aiming to distribute pre-paid meters to customers throughout the state. Okafor also noted that unpaid electricity bills have resulted in financial losses amounting to hundreds of millions of naira.
Okafor urged electricity consumers to collaborate in strengthening the capacity to detect and prosecute perpetrators of transformer vandalism and energy theft.
“Electricity theft is a major challenge affecting our ability to provide reliable service to our valued customers. We are intensifying our efforts through partnerships with key stakeholders, including electricity consumers, to ensure those who engage in such practices face the full force of the law,” he said.
“We cannot tackle this challenge alone. We need assistance from all concerned stakeholders and authorities to enable the company to operate more effectively.
This partnership is crucial; it will not only enhance our ability to detect and prosecute offenders but also send a strong message that electricity theft will not be tolerated.”
“This act has undermined the integrity of our operations and deprived us of the resources needed to improve service delivery to Anambra residents,” Okafor continued.
He urged customers to refrain from meter bypassing, emphasising that the distribution company is determined to take strict action against defaulters, including imprisonment, as stipulated in the Electricity Act of Nigeria.
