Emma Elekwa
Management of FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company Limited (FirstPower DisCo) has assured residents of Nnewi, Anambra state that the existing transmission constraint affecting the area would soon be over.
Managing Director, Mr. Okechukwu Okafor gave the assurance at the edition of Customer Engagement Forum for customers in Nnewi District, as part of its continued efforts to strengthen customer relations, promote transparency and address concerns relating to electricity supply and service delivery in the State.
He acknowledged customers’ concerns over electricity supply, identifying existing transmission constraint as the major challenge affecting the town.
“Although FirstPower, as a distribution company can only distribute energy allocated to it through the national grid, we’re assuring customers that a lasting solution is already in sight through the ongoing Umuchu 2x60MVA Transmission Substation project being executed by TCN.
“The project which has reached about 95 per cent completion will significantly improve electricity supply to Nnewi and its environs when completed and will inject additional power capacity into the network at the same time eliminate the existing transmission bottlenecks,” he assured.
According to Okafor, the engagement was convened to obtain firsthand feedback from customers, address their concerns transparently and strengthen collaboration towards building a more efficient electricity sector.
“The engagement is also to review the company’s services, provide updates on developments in the electricity sector, explain the realities of the sector, share safety tips, as well as receive customers’ feedback and jointly explore practical ways of improving electricity supply and service delivery in the district,” he added.
Foremost industrial hub
Describing Nnewi as the State’s foremost industrial and automobile hub, the MD commended residents for their strong think-home philosophy and sustained investments in the community despite prevailing power sector challenges.
He however urged customers to obtain prepaid meters only through approved channels and avoid fraudulent agents, while also condemning the persistence of meter bypass, meter tampering, energy theft, vandalism and other illegal activities that undermine service improvement efforts.
Okafor further called on communities to take ownership of electricity infrastructure by protecting installations and reporting suspicious activities through the company’s whistleblowing number: 08161652465.
He expressed confidence that ongoing investments and the completion of the Umuchu transmission project would pave the way for more stable electricity supply in Nnewi.
The MD also provided an overview of Nigeria’s electricity value chain, the company’s operations, regulatory framework and ongoing interventions aimed at improving service delivery across Anambra State.
Other issues highlighted were network expansion, feeder reconfiguration, establishment of FirstPower’s Meter Laboratory in Onitsha with a daily production capacity of about 2,500 prepaid meters, and the planned embedded power generation initiative designed to reduce dependence on the national grid.
Providing further clarification on the electricity value chain, the Chief Technical Officer of FirstPower, Dr. Emeka Egbujor, explained the distinct responsibilities of generation, transmission and distribution companies, stressing that not every power-related challenge experienced by customers originates from or is within the control of the distribution company.
“Upon completion of the Umuchu 2x60MVA transmission project, FirstPower will commence construction of injection substations in the area to facilitate additional feeders and further strengthen power supply across Nnewi District,” he added
