Igbo Radio

By Izunna Okafor, Awka

Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, on Thursday, officially swore in the newly confirmed Commissioners and members of the Anambra State Electricity Regulatory Commission (ASERC).

The swearing-in ceremony, which held during the State Executive Council (EXCO) meeting at the Government House, Awka, came barely two days after their confirmation by the Anambra State House of Assembly.

The new appointees include Prof. Frank Nwoye Okafor (Chairman/Chief Executive Commissioner); Dr. Geoffrey Okwuchukwu Nwokoye (Executive Commissioner); Dr. Nnaemeka O. Ewelukwa (Executive Commissioner); Engr. Anosike Emmanuel (Executive Commissioner); and Barr. Chijioke Nnaemeka Obi (Executive Commissioner).

The Commission, it was gathered, is primarily tasked with regulating Anambra’s electricity market, issuing licenses to operators, setting and reviewing tariffs, monitoring performance standards, promoting renewable energy adoption, protecting consumers, resolving electricity-related disputes, and advising the State Government on energy policies and strategies for sustainable development.

Inaugurating the new Commissioners, Governor Soludo congratulated them on their appointment and charged them to see their roles as a call to service. He emphasized that their work would play a pivotal role in Anambra’s ongoing transition to a domesticated, self-regulated, and sustainable power system. The Governor noted that with the operationalization of the ASERC, Anambra was taking a bold step toward achieving full control of its electricity sector in line with the Electricity Act 2023, which empowers states to manage their internal electricity markets.

Governor Soludo further expressed optimism that the ASERC team, given their impressive profiles and expertise in various aspects of the power value chain, would drive his administration’s vision of making Anambra a livable and prosperous smart megacity. He urged them to uphold professionalism, integrity, and transparency in discharging their duties, stressing that electricity regulation remains critical to industrial growth, job creation, and poverty reduction.

Earlier presenting the team before the EXCO, the State Commissioner for Power and Water Resources, Engr. Julius Chukwuemeka, described the inauguration as a major milestone in the State’s power sector reform. He explained that with the establishment of ASERC, Anambra is now fully positioned to regulate electricity activities within its borders, attract investment into its energy market, and ensure accountability in electricity generation, transmission, and distribution.

“What we are doing today is a very strategic step towards our efforts to ensure a sustainable and well-balanced future for the Anambra. With the inauguration of this committee, we will be domesticating the 2023 Nigerian Electricity Act for Anambra; by setting up officially the Anambra's Electricity and Electricity Commission,” he stated.

According to Engr. Chukwuemeka, the new Commissioners bring years of proven experience to the Commission, having served in key national and international energy agencies such as the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), and the Federal Ministry of Power. He also reaffirmed his Ministry’s readiness to provide the Commission with the necessary technical and administrative support to hit the ground running, operate seamlessly, and fully actualize its mandate.

In a vote of thanks on behalf of his colleagues shortly after taking the oath of office, the Commission’s Chairman and Chief Executive Commissioner, Prof. Okafor, expressed gratitude to Governor Soludo and the State Government for the confidence reposed in them. He assured that the team would justify the trust through dedicated service, robust stakeholder engagement, and policies that balance the interests of consumers and investors alike. He also reassured the Commission's commitment to prioritizing consumer protection and expansion of electricity access, especially in rural and industrial communities.

Recall that the Anambra State Electricity Regulatory Commission (ASERC) was established pursuant to the Anambra State Electricity Law 2025, which followed the domestication of the Federal Electricity Act 2023. The creation of ASERC represents a key component of Governor Soludo’s agenda to ensure energy independence, efficiency, and sustainability in Anambra’s development journey.

Mor photos from the swearing-in ceremony: