By Tony Okafor
FirstPower Electricity Distribution Company’s handling of the Amudo, Awka controversy has brought to the fore a deeper concern — an apparent focus on countering media reports rather than addressing persistent service delivery issues.
While the company has denied allegations that residents were levied and has sought to reframe the narrative, the underlying issue remains unresolved: chronic poor electricity supply across many parts of Anambra State.
In several communities, electricity supply is reported to last barely 20 minutes a day, when available at all. This situation has understandably frustrated residents, including some FirstPower company officials who have, in public forums, acknowledged that the poor supply affects their own households.
The Amudo, Awka case is not an isolated one. It reflects recurring complaints from communities about being asked to contribute funds for repairs, despite electricity distribution being the statutory responsibility of the company.
There have also been persistent consumer concerns about estimated billing, billing without commensurate supply, and delays in the provision of prepaid meters — all of which continue to erode public trust.
Particularly concerning is the company’s response to a report by journalist Obeta, which highlighted allegations that some company agents demanded over N2 million from consumers in Amudo.
While the company disputes these claims, efforts to challenge the report should not extend to actions that could be perceived as attempts to discredit the journalist or pressure him to reveal sources.
Journalism is not a crime, and critical reporting is not sabotage. It is an essential mechanism for accountability, especially in sectors that directly impact citizens’ daily lives.
Allegations of misconduct, whether proven or not, underscore the need for transparency and independent investigation.
Dismissing such claims outright, without clear and verifiable inquiry, risks deepening public suspicion.
FirstPower must therefore move beyond concerns about “bad press” and focus on restoring confidence through measurable improvements in service delivery.
The Amudo situation should serve as an opportunity for introspection and reform, not confrontation.
The path forward is clear: transparency, accountability, and consistent power supply.
Until residents experience meaningful improvement, public criticism will persist — not as an act of hostility, but as a reflection of lived reality.
Anything to the contrary is simply a bad workman quarreling with his tools and, like a drowning man, clutching at straws
