25/05/2026
FirstPower MD, ASERC, EERC Honoured as MAN Southeast Hosts Stakeholders’ Conversation on Electricity-related Matters
By Izunna Okafor | Head of Communications
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company Limited, Engr. Okechukwu Okafor, alongside key electricity regulators, was over the weekend, honoured with a Certificate of Appreciation as the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Southeast Region, hosted a high-level stakeholders’ conversation on electricity regulations, billing transparency and industrial productivity in Awka, Anambra State.
The event, held at the Old Government House, Awka, was organized by MAN Southeast in collaboration with the Anambra State Government, the Anambra State Electricity Regulatory Commission (ASERC), the Enugu State Electricity Regulatory Commission (EERC), and the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN), Anambra Chapter. It brought together regulators, manufacturers, investors and operators to deliberate on electricity reforms, industrial productivity, consumer protection and investment opportunities in the Southeast power sector.
In her welcome address, the Chairman of MAN Southeast Region, Dr. Lady Ada Chukwudozie, lamented the rising energy costs, poor electricity supply and limited access to affordable financing confronting manufacturers across the region. She said the forum was designed to address issues surrounding electricity reforms, service delivery, billing transparency, investment, infrastructure and stakeholder collaboration.
Dr. Chukwudozie, who is also the Group Executive Director of the Dozzy Group and Chairman of Keystone Bank Limited, appreciated the support of the Anambra State Government, ASERC, EERC and other stakeholders, while particularly commending the FirstPower MD for attending the programme despite receiving the invitation only a few hours to the kick-off time.
Expressing certain concerns over some aspects of electricity-related services in the Southeast and the impacts on manufacturers and industries across the region; she stressed that sustainable reforms can only thrive through transparency, accountability, stakeholder engagement and regulatory responsiveness, adding that improved collaboration would boost industrial productivity, investor confidence and economic growth across the Southeast.
Delivering the keynote address at the event, former NERC Chairman, Dr. Sam Amadi, gave an overview of the country's power sector, described the decentralization of electricity regulation under the Electricity Act as a major opportunity for states to drive innovation, investment and industrial expansion. He commended ASERC and EERC for proactive leadership and expressed optimism that the Southeast could emerge as Nigeria’s best electricity market if the ongoing reforms are sustained.
Dr. Amadi, a professor of Law and Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts, noted that states now have the power to establish electricity markets, develop mini-grid solutions and attract investors. He, however, criticized the existing tariff structure where industrial consumers bear higher electricity costs than residential users, noting that manufacturers eventually transfer the same increased cost to customers while selling their products. Extolling the great developmental potentials of the Southeast, Dr. Amadi also advocated stronger support systems for manufacturers, harmonized electricity regulations across the Southeast and sustained stakeholder engagement.
Speaking during the interactive session, the MD/CEO of FirstPower, Engr. Okechukwu Okafor, described the programme as timely and necessary, acknowledging the numerous challenges across the electricity value chain. He explained that many of the sector’s problems originated from the old centralized structure, but expressed optimism that the decentralization introduced by the Electricity Act would enable states to independently tackle electricity challenges.
The FirstPower Boss commended ASERC for its strategic reforms and explained that although distribution companies are often blamed by customers, many of the sector’s major problems stem from generation and supply limitations. He identified the decline in electricity generation by GenCos and reduced allocations from the national grid as major factors affecting supply across the country.
Engr. Okafor further disclosed that efforts are ongoing to attract private investors into power generation within Anambra State to complement supply from the national grid. According to him, scarcity of power supply and the high cost of generation remain the biggest obstacles confronting the sector; even as he expressed confidence that several other operational challenges would naturally reduce once those major issues are addressed.
In their separate goodwill messages, the Chairman of EERC, Engr. Chijioke Okonkwo, emphasized the need for continuous engagement between regulators and manufacturers, while the President of ACCIMA, Pharm. Uche Apakama, stressed that stable electricity supply remains critical to sustaining Anambra’s growing industrial and commercial expansion. Also speaking, the MD/CEO of T-1 Technologies and former Commissioner for Agriculture and Transport in Anambra State, Hon. Afam Mbanefo, highlighted the importance of technology-driven systems in promoting transparency and operational efficiency.
Also speaking, the Chairman of ASERC, Prof. Frank Okafor, stressed the need for sustained stakeholder engagement in resolving electricity sector challenges, while expressing optimism that ongoing reforms and collaboration among regulators, government and investors would produce lasting solutions.
Earlier declaring the event open, Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Chiamaka Nnake, said the convergence of regulators, manufacturers and investors showed that practical solutions to the electricity crisis were gradually emerging.
She revealed that several investors, including Shell Petroleum, had already opened discussions with the Anambra State Government on electricity-related investments and partnerships, but identified funding and capital requirements as major challenges slowing infrastructure development. She, however, advocated for interim support mechanisms capable of cushioning the effect of energy challenges on manufacturers while long-term reforms are being implemented; even as she reaffirmed the state government's commitment to partnering with and providing enabling environment to genuine investors willing to help bring solutions to power-related challenges facing the state.
The event also featured extensive deliberations on metering, billing transparency, service band classifications and customer accountability mechanisms, during which concerns and questions raised event organizers and participants were satisfactorily addressed by the FirstPower MD, ASERC Chairman, EERC Chairman and the keynote speaker.
Others who spoke at the event included Life Vice President of NACCIMA, Mr. Humphrey Ngonadi; former President of OCCIMA, Sir Chris Ukachukwu; current President of OCCIMA, Mr. Chinedu Nwonu, among others.
Highpoints of the event included the presentation of award and Certificates of Appreciation to the keynote speaker, the FirstPower MD, the ASERC Chairman and the EERC Chairman for their contributions to electricity sector reforms and industrial development in the Southeast.
