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The Mainpower Electricity Distribution Limited, a subsidiary of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), has been licensed to distribute electricity within Enugu State by the Enugu State Electricity Regulatory Commission (EERC).
Marking the completion of the transition period for transfer of regulatory oversight from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to EERC on Tuesday, the Chairman of EERC, Mr Chijioke Okonkwo, presented the interim distribution license to Mainpower Electricity Distribution.
Okonkwo charged Mainpower to continue with the operations of electricity service delivery to the citizens of Enugu State.
He called on new Disco to work with the Commission (EERC) to "ensure growth in electricity services that is efficient, reliable, sustainable, and accountable is sustained for the long run."
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Receiving the license, a member of the Board of Directors of Mainpower, Mr Kester Enwereonu, said that the successful transition was a new chapter that reflects the forward-thinking reforms in the power sector and "Mainpower is ready to lead the way."
Enwereonu further said that to accelerate the transformation, Mainpower would deploy re-engineered processes, cutting-edge technology and smart tools designed to leapfrog past conventional barriers.
According to him, technology is at the heart of the new Disco’s strategy.
"Mainpower will be leveraging data-driven insights to enhance efficiency and improve service delivery.
"The new Disco will focus on building a future-ready distribution network capable of delivering sustainable, reliable and uninterrupted power to homes and businesses across the state.
“This is a bold step towards building a better future for Enugu State and with the regulatory oversight of the EERC, our commitment to operational excellence will be optimal.
"With the support of our stakeholders, we are confident that Mainpower will achieve the tangible improvements that our customers deserve," he said.
Also present at the event is the Managing Director of Mainpower, Dr. Ernest Mupwaya.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that with this development, EEDC operations in Enugu State had come to an end and had been transferred to Mainpower, while NERC would no longer regulate electricity business within the state.
It will be recalled that with President Bola Tinubu signing the new Electricity Act into law; states can now generate, transmit and distribute electricity.
With this new Electricity Act, states are expected to set up their own regulatory framework to regulate the electricity market in their states and issue operating licenses to potential investors that might want to do business in the state.
In addition, NERC (which has been the regulator over the years) would have to hand over the regulatory and oversight rights to the state-owned regulatory commission (which in the case of Enugu State is the Enugu State Electricity Regulatory Commission (EERC).
Consequently, EEDC ceases to operate within Enugu State, as MainPower Electricity Distribution Limited is now the new DisCo responsible for electricity distribution in the state.
However, EEDC as the holding company continues to carry out electricity distribution in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi and Imo States.