The Anambra State Government has formally inaugurated regulatory instruments for the state’s electricity market, declaring power supply an essential public service that must be governed by strict standards to ensure efficiency, accountability, and investment viability.
The Chairman of the Anambra State Electricity Regulatory Commission (ASERC), Prof. Frank Okafor, made this known on Tuesday during a ceremony held for the signing and activation of the regulatory framework guiding operations in the state’s power sector.
According to Okafor, the new regulatory instruments are designed to establish clear operational standards for all participants in the electricity value chain, protect consumers, and provide a predictable environment for investors.
“There must be certain standards that must be maintained in the power sector in Anambra State, and if they are maintained the sector will run smoothly for the benefit of everyone,” he said.
He explained that the framework marks a foundational step in the development of the state’s electricity market, adding that it would define the rights and responsibilities of operators while ensuring fair returns on investment and value for consumers.
“This presentation and signing of regulatory instruments ceremony is a defining moment for us because the development of Anambra electricity sector will be predicated on this,” he said. “We want to ensure that the regulations are right, so that whoever is a participant in the sector will know that what he is doing is what is expected and their rights are covered.”
Okafor further noted that the regulatory environment is intended to attract private investment into the sector by guaranteeing operational clarity and commercial viability.
“With this regulatory instruments, you that is coming to Anambra to invest in the power sector will be able to operate and recoup your investments, and the consumers can also get the worth of their money. We want to say that it is no longer business as usual,” he added.
The ASERC chairman also issued a strong warning against monopoly in the state’s electricity distribution market, stating that open competition would be encouraged to improve service delivery and efficiency.
“Legal monopoly will not be tolerated in Anambra. We say this to our stakeholders in FirstPower, you must work hard and earn the trust of the people if you want monopoly,” he said.
He added that the government is open to additional investors in the sector, noting that competition would ultimately benefit consumers. “We are hoping for other investors, so that the competition will be high and if you must maintain a monopoly in Anambra, let it be that the people tested your service, approved it and decided to stick with you,” he said.
FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company, a subsidiary of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), currently operates as the primary electricity distributor in the state.
The high point of the event was the formal signing of the regulatory framework by the ASERC chairman, Prof. Frank Okafor.
The ceremony was attended by key stakeholders in the power sector, including the Commissioner for Power, Mr. Casmir Agumadu; the Chairman of FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company, Dr. Okechukwu Okafor; and senior officials of the commission.
