{By WISEMAN Business Desk, Awka}
FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company Limited (FirstPower) has launched an extensive investigation regarding allegations that it imposed a ₦2.1 million fee on the residents of Amudo Community in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, purportedly for repairing a vandalized transformer that serves the area.
The inquiry was announced in a press release by the Company’s Head of Communications, Izunna Okafor, following claims made few days ago on during a Customer Engagement Forum in Awka.
At the forum, Amudo resident Mr. Okechukwu Obeta alleged that the villagers had been tasked to contribute the specified amount to fix the company’s faulty transformer.
Mr. Obeta, a journalist for The Leadership Newspaper, stated at the meeting that he had reported on the issue and the alleged corruption, insisting that the demand for funds was illegal.
In response, FirstPower’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Okechukwu Okafor, expressed surprise at the accusation, indicating that the management was unaware of any such directive from company staff.
He urged the accuser to provide evidence and identify any involved officials to facilitate a thorough investigation, assuring that any guilty staff would face dismissal and prosecution. However, Mr. Obeta did not provide any supporting evidence, maintaining confidence in his claim.
The MD reiterated that FirstPower has never requested or authorized money from any community for the repair or replacement of damaged transformers, emphasizing that such costs fall entirely on the Company, clarifying that, contrary to Mr. Obeta’s claims, FirstPower fully covered the repair costs of the vandalized transformer in Amudo, which amounted to about ₦4 million, rather than the ₦2.1 million alleged, adding that the repairs were completed within the same week the issue was reported.
Management also recalled that, prior to Mr. Obeta’s publication, representatives from Amudo Community, including Mr. Obeta and another member, Mr. Osita Obi, had met with the Company’s Head of Communications and reported ongoing vandalism of their electrical facilities, including a recent incident during heavy rainfall on February 3.
During that meeting, residents claimed they were being tasked to contribute funds for repairs, citing costs of about ₦95,000 for armored cables. They expressed concerns over potential conspiracy due to repeated vandalism.
The Head of Communications clarified at that meeting that FirstPower does not charge customers for transformer repairs and encouraged them to submit a formal written complaint to the Managing Director for appropriate action. He offered to send the letter to the MD the same weekend, promising to arrange a meeting for further discussions. However, the promised letter and residents were not present on Monday, despite a follow-up reminder to Mr. Obeta.
“On February 23, without further communication, Mr. Obeta published an article in The Leadership Newspaper claiming that FirstPower levied the community ₦2.1 million for the repair of vandalized facilities. This article, titled “FirstPower Levies Awka Village N2.1m for Replacement of Vandalized Facilities,” was referenced during the stakeholders meeting.
“Due to the seriousness of the allegation and its potential impact on the Company’s reputation, FirstPower Management invited Amudo Community leaders to the Company Headquarters the following day for clarification. Since Mr. Obeta was not part of the delegation, they contacted him, postponing the meeting until he could attend.
“At the rescheduled meeting, the Amudo delegation, led by Chairman Mr. Nwanna Patrick, denied any allegations of FirstPower imposing a levy, confirming that the Company covered all repair costs without charging the community.
“They clarified that the money raised by residents—around ₦600,000 to ₦700,000—was voluntarily collected for installing CCTV cameras and solar lights around the transformer to prevent further vandalism, not as a payment to FirstPower. They also claimed unaware of Mr. Obeta’s publication and questioned how he obtained such information.
“During the meeting, the Managing Director provided Mr. Obeta another opportunity to share his perspective, present evidence for his claims, or clarify his sources, urging Mr. Obeta to retract the statement and issue an apology if it was unsubstantiated.
“Alternatively, if he believed the claims to be true, he should be ready to back them up with evidence, which could assist in addressing any misconduct related to the Company’s name”. Izunna Okafor submitted.
FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company Limited asserts that it operates with a commitment to transparency, accountability, and due process, and does not charge customers for transformer repairs or other distribution resources.
The Management promises to continue the investigation until the matter is fully resolved, and ensures that anyone found to have engaged in misconduct or misrepresentation will face legal consequences.
FirstPower reassures its customers and the public of its dedication to responsible service delivery, open communication, and protecting the rights of electricity consumers in Anambra State, urging the public to verify information through official channels before making conclusions about the Company’s activities.
