FirstPower Takes Customer Engagement Forum to Nnewi, Highlights Ongoing Efforts to Improve Service Delivery

By Izunna Okafor, Awka 

The Management of FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company Limited (FirstPower DisCo) on Thursday held another edition of its 2026 Customer Engagement Forum, this time 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 Anambra State.

The engagement forum, which held at Classic Munich Hotel, Nnewi, brought together community leaders, industrialists, business owners, customers and other stakeholders in a highly interactive session aimed at reviewing the company’s services, providing updates on developments in the electricity sector, explaining the realities of the sector, sharing safety tips, as well as receiving customers’ feedback and jointly exploring practical ways of improving electricity supply and service delivery in the district.

In his opening remarks, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FirstPower, Mr. Okechukwu Okafor, said the engagement was convened to obtain firsthand feedback from customers, address their concerns transparently and strengthen collaboration towards building a more efficient electricity sector. He described Nnewi as Anambra State’s foremost industrial and automobile hub, commending its people for their strong think-home philosophy and sustained investments in the community despite prevailing power sector challenges.

While acknowledging customers’ concerns over electricity supply, the MD explained that the major challenge affecting Nnewi is the existing transmission constraint, noting that FirstPower, as a distribution company, can only distribute energy allocated to it through the national grid.

The FirstPower MD, however, assured customers that a lasting solution is already in sight through the ongoing Umuchu 2x60MVA Transmission Substation project being executed by TCN, which, he said, has reached about 95 per cent completion, and will significantly improve electricity supply to Nnewi and its environs upon completion, by injecting additional power capacity into the network and eliminating the existing transmission bottlenecks.

He 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, including network expansion, feeder reconfiguration, the 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.

The MD 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. He 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.

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. He further explained that upon completion of the Umuchu 2x60MVA transmission project, FirstPower would commence the construction of injection substations in the area to facilitate additional feeders and further strengthen power supply across Nnewi District.

Speaking on commercial operations, the Chief Commercial Officer, Dr. Mrs. Nnenna Obi, explained the Company’s billing system, metering programmes and the ongoing ASAP initiative aimed at enhancing accountability, customer experience and revenue assurance. She encouraged customers to take advantage of available metering opportunities and to channel complaints through approved communication platforms.

In his lecture on safety standards, the FirstPower Safety Officer for Nnewi District, Engr. Mike Nzewi, used pictorial and video demonstrations to sensitize customers on the importance of electrical safety, proper handling of installations and the need to avoid unsafe practices around power lines, transformers and right-of-way areas. He warned against illegal connections, tampering with electrical equipment and other actions capable of endangering lives and damaging critical infrastructure.

Also speaking, the Head Technical, Engr. Okwudili Udechukwu, highlighted the adverse effects of vandalism, illegal connections and energy theft on electricity supply, noting that damaged infrastructure results in outages, increased operational costs and poor service delivery. He appealed to customers to safeguard electricity facilities and promptly report suspicious activities.

In her presentation on customer relations, the Head of Customer Service, Mrs. Obianuju Okafor, highlighted the various payment platforms and complaint channels available to customers, including district offices, customer care lines, online platforms and designated service centres. She assured participants that the Company is strengthening its response system to ensure quicker resolution of complaints and improved communication with customers.

The engagement forum also featured an extensive interactive session during which participants from different communities, including Michael Mbamobi from Ebenator; Mr. Izuchukwu Nwankwo from Ndiakwu Otolo Nnewi; and Rev. Canon Ikechukwu Uzor, among others, raised concerns and sought clarifications on power supply limitations, fault response time, infrastructure protection, overgrown trees affecting electricity lines, metering and the possibility of dedicated industrial power lines for some communities.

The event also featured the participation and contributions of some other top Management staff of FirstPower, including the District Business Manager for Nnewi District, Mr. Tochi Henry Osuchi; the Head of Regulatory, Mrs. Jessica Mba; the Head of Revenue Generation, Centre Two, Mr. Ifeanyi Orji; the Head of Business Intelligence Unit, Mr. Olabisi Odumosu; and the ICT Officer, Nnewi District, Mr. Tochukwu Eze, among others.

More photos from the event:

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