Anambra State Government has described electric power as an essential need in society, stating that for the power sector to develop and serve the needs of the people, there must be strict regulations guiding it.
The chairman of Anambra State Electricity Regulatory Commission (ASERC), Prof. Frank Okafor stated this on Tuesday during the signing into operation, regulatory instruments to guide operations of the power sector in the state.
Okafor said the state government wants to maintain standards in the power sector, and players in the sector must be guided by regulatory framework being signed by the commission, to ensure that consumers get worth for their money, and investors in the sector also make profits to recover their investment.
He said: “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.
“We are here to perform the first and most relevant function in ASERC. 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.
“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.
“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.”
Addressing the only power distribution company in the state, FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company, which is a subsidiary of Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), Okafor said monopoly would not be tolerated in the state.
“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.
“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.
Highpoint of the event was the signing of the regulatory framework by the chairman of ASERC, Prof Frank Okafor.
The event was attended by other stakeholders in the power sector in the state, including the commissioner for Power, Mr. Casmir Agumadu, chairman of FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company, Dr. Okechukwu Okafor and top staff members of the commission.
