The Anambra State government, through the Anambra State Electricity Regulatory Commission, ASERC, has issued an interim license to First Power Electricity Company Limited as an electricity distributor in the state.
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ASERC, Prof. Frank Okafor, stated that this move is part of efforts to ensure steady power supply across every part of the state.
Okafor said the government of Professor Chukwuma Soludo is poised to make the state a choice destination, a goal that cannot be achieved if power continues to remain a luxury.
He added that with the issuance of a temporary one-year license to First Power, the commission looks forward to improved electricity distribution, while vowing thorough oversight of the company’s activities to ensure targets are met.
“Today, history is made in our dear Anambra State. A journey to adequately regulate the energy sector, particularly the electricity business in Anambra State, has commenced. The whistle was blown by the Executive Governor himself, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo CFR, who on October 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 for bringing the Anambra State Electricity Law (ANEL) into effect. 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 ASERC.
“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.
“One such operator is First Power Electricity Distribution Company Limited (FPEDC). Consequently, the Commission has deemed it expedient to legalize its operations in the state by issuing an interim license. We caution that there are terms and conditions for these licenses, and we will regulate strictly.”
The Group Managing Director of Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, the parent body of First Power Electricity Distribution Company, represented by Dr. Ernest Mupwaya during the certificate presentation, 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 license issued to EEDC. However, the operating license being conferred by ASERC 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. Our growth plans for FirstPower are deliberately structured to complement the state’s industrialization 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 issuance ceremony was attended by officials of the Anambra State government, including the Commissioners for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, and Power and Water Resources, Mr. Julius Chukwuemeka.