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.