MainPower Electricity Distribution Limited (MEDL) has unveiled plans to invest about ₦1.2 billion in metering, rehabilitation and upgrading of its electricity network in Ugwuaji Community, Enugu State, while seeking residents’ cooperation to improve power supply and protect electricity infrastructure.
The Managing Director of MainPower, Dr. Ernest Mupwaya, announced the investment plan on Friday during a stakeholder engagement with the community organised by the Enugu State Electricity Regulatory Commission (EERC). He also disclosed plans to enumerate and meter approximately 7,500 customers in Ugwuaji.
Mupwaya said the company was determined to resolve longstanding issues affecting its relationship with the community, disclosing that a joint committee comprising five representatives each from Ugwuaji and MainPower had been established to work towards resolving the challenges.
Describing the relationship between the company and its customers as “a marriage which can never be dissolved,” the managing director identified metering as the major source of friction, noting that about 90 per cent of the concerns raised by customers at the meeting related to the issue.
He assured residents that MainPower remained committed to metering all its customers by the end of 2027, explaining that the initiative would promote fairness, transparency and accountability in electricity transactions.
According to him, the proposed ₦1.2 billion investment would cover customer enumeration, metering, infrastructure improvement and measures to protect the company’s investments. He added that the comprehensive enumeration exercise would commence soon, with the required meters already available.
“The customer enumeration would enable us to maintain an accurate database, improve service delivery, and keep our customers informed of major developments through electronic communication channels,” he said.
Mupwaya explained that the metering programme was also part of the company’s preparations for increased electricity generation, particularly the planned 660-megawatt power generation project being pursued by the Enugu State Government.
He said MainPower’s long-term objective was to move towards 24-hour electricity supply, stressing that comprehensive metering would help customers monitor and manage their electricity consumption.
The managing director urged Ugwuaji residents to work with the company to safeguard electricity infrastructure and move beyond previous disagreements, emphasising that improved service delivery required mutual commitment to metering, payment of electricity bills, infrastructure protection and effective communication.
In his welcome address, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of EERC, Mr. Chijioke Okonkwo, highlighted the changes taking place in Nigeria’s electricity sector following the enactment of the Electricity Act 2023.
Okonkwo said Enugu State was the first to leverage the Act’s provisions to enact its own electricity law and establish a state electricity regulatory commission, creating opportunities for investment and expanding access to electricity.
He urged customers to support the ongoing reforms, noting that electricity infrastructure in Ugwuaji could help drive economic growth and attract investment to the community.
The EERC chairman also called on residents to protect electricity infrastructure, shun energy theft and other illegal activities, pay their electricity bills and cooperate with MainPower to improve service delivery.
The traditional ruler of Ugwuaji, His Royal Highness Chinedu Nwobodo, welcomed the stakeholders and recounted some of the electricity supply challenges the community had faced over the years.
He appealed to MainPower to intensify efforts to improve electricity supply while commending the company’s management for taking steps to rebuild its relationship with the community.
“MainPower has started well and I urge you not to relent,” he said.
The engagement also featured presentations by the EERC Commissioner for Engineering, Health and Safety, Engr. Chinedum Ukabiala, and the Head of the Consumer Complaints Resolution Desk (CCRD), Nennaya Ugwu.
Their presentations focused on “Understanding the Importance of Metering” and “Consumer Rights and Responsibilities under the Electricity Regulatory Framework,” respectively.
The forum provided an opportunity for residents to raise concerns about electricity supply and service delivery, with officials of EERC and MainPower responding to the issues raised.
Other MainPower management officials at the engagement included the Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Ikenna Akabogu; Chief Technical Officer, Engr. Chimezie Chukwu; Head of Customer Service, Mrs. Ijeoma Ogudebe; Head of Communications, Mr. Emeka Ezeh; Head of Health, Safety and Environment, Dr. Francis Iwu; Head of Operations, Engr. Ikenna Mbamalu; and District Business Manager, Awkunanaw District, Mr. Nelson Iwuagwu.
