By Izunna Okafor
The Management of FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company Limited has continued its strategic engagement with major industrial customers across Anambra State, with a visit to two foreign-owned manufacturing firms in Ogbaru Local Government Area as part of its ongoing Maximum Demand (MD) customer relations initiative.
The latest customer engagement drive, which extended to the southern axis of the company’s operational and revenue map, was led by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FirstPower, Engr. Okechukwu Okafor, and joined by the Chief Technical Officer, Engr. Dr. Emeka Egbujor; the District Business Manager for Ogbaru District, Engr. Onyebuchi Nwokafor; as well as the Head of Taskforce, Engr. Chukwu Sam Amuche, among other officials.
The FirstPower team first visited Dexin Multilink Development Limited, where the Management held extensive discussions with the company’s leadership on service quality, operational challenges and opportunities for deeper collaboration.
Speaking during the engagement, Engr. Okafor explained that the visit formed part of FirstPower’s commitment to maintaining direct interaction with its key industrial customers, assessing the quality of service being rendered, understanding their concerns and jointly identifying solutions capable of improving service delivery and supporting business growth.
He commended Dexin Multilink for its continued patronage and confidence in the company, while also applauding the firm for its contribution to economic development through job creation and investment in Anambra State.
The FirstPower Boss noted that industries such as Dexin Multilink remain critical partners in the state’s industrialization drive and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to providing the electricity support required for sustainable productivity and expansion.
Responding, the General Manager of Dexin Multilink Development Limited, Mr. Daniel Chen, appreciated the visit and the growing engagement between both organisations.
He, however, disclosed that the previous month had been one of the most difficult periods for the company due to electricity infrastructure-related challenges which negatively impacted operations.
According to him, the company recently invested in a new transformer to improve its electricity supply and operational efficiency, a move that has already yielded noticeable improvements.
While commending FirstPower for the support and improvements recorded so far, he appealed for further interventions to address frequent outages during rainfall.
He also recounted how that even light rains often result in power interruption and consequently halt production activities until power is restored — a complaint the FirstPower Team told him has safety undertones, but however assured to further review it and see how to make improvements where necessary without jeopardizing the safety of its customers and infrastructure.
Mr. Chen reaffirmed the company’s commitment to sustaining its partnership with FirstPower and living up to its lawful obligations; even as he expressed optimism that continued collaboration would result in better service and enhanced productivity.
From Dexin Multilink, the FirstPower delegation also proceeded to Golden Oil Industries Limited, another major foreign-owned industrial customer within the Ogbaru industrial corridor.
Addressing the Management Team of the company, the FirstPower MD, Engr. Okafor, reiterated FirstPower’s commitment to maintaining close relationships with its industrial customers, emphasizing that regular engagement remains essential for understanding customers’ evolving energy needs and aligning service improvement initiatives with their operational realities.
He assured the company that FirstPower remains committed to supporting industries through strategic investments, network improvements and responsive customer service aimed at enhancing power availability and reliability.
Speaking on behalf of Golden Oil Industries, the General Manager, Finance, Mr. Das Phan; Assistant General Manager, Projects and Operations, Mr. Khemabhai Patel; Electricity Manager, Mr. Navnit; and the company’s Public Relations and Administration Officer, Mr. Wada Okpanachi, appreciated the visit and highlighted the importance of stable electricity supply to the company’s operations.
They noted that the volume of energy available to the company had gradually declined over time and stressed the need for a more sustainable and reliable supply arrangement capable of supporting increasing production demands.
The Management Team expressed the company’s readiness to offtake and pay for specific megawatts of electricity monthly, emphasizing that improved power availability would significantly enhance operational efficiency and reduce dependence on alternative energy sources.
Following extensive deliberations, both parties agreed to develop and execute a formal arrangement to facilitate the proposed energy offtake, with implementation expected to commence upon the completion of the necessary documentation and approvals.
Engr. Okafor, however, assured the company that while the formal proposal and agreement process is being concluded, FirstPower has already commenced immediate measures aimed at addressing the prevailing supply challenges and improving electricity availability to the facility.
The visits formed part of FirstPower’s broader customer engagement strategy aimed at strengthening relationships with key industrial customers, improving service delivery, encouraging industrial growth and fostering sustainable partnerships capable of driving economic development across Anambra State.
