In line with the provisions of Sections 16, 17, 44 and 64 of the Abia State Electricity Law, 2025, the Abia State Electricity Regulatory Authority (ASERA) issued Interim Electricity Generation and Distribution Licences to three power firms, and by so doing, activated the full transition of the state into an independently regulated intra-state electricity market.

The three Licence beneficiaries were New Era Electricity Distribution Limited, APL Electric Company Limited and Geometric Power Aba Limited.

The granting of the Interim licences, which followed the conclusion of the transition period on 24 December 2025, when ASERA formally assumed full regulatory oversight of intra-state electricity operations, was to enable the Licencees to commence regulated activities under ASERA’s framework, pending the issuance of full Licences to them.

Speaking during the handing over of the Interim Licences to the trio at Umuahia, the Abia State capital, the ASERA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mr. Emeka Onyegbule, said that the AbIa State government is building a structured, disciplined power sector that would capably be delivering reliable service at scale.

He also informed that the reform process had moved beyond planning to implementation, stressing that electricity is central to economic growth, industrial expansion and the peoples welfare.

He therefore tasked the Licensees on strict adherence to the licence conditions, ensure transparency in operations, discipline in service delivery, and responsiveness to customers, warning that regulatory consequences will be applied where operators fall short.

The ASERA Chief Executive Office ( Onyegbule ) further said ” this is not ceremonial, it is decisive. We are no longer preparing for reform, we are executing it.

The licenses being issued today are therefore instruments of responsibility. They confer not only authority, but obligation.

“The entities before us are not merely market participants, you are partners in delivering a critical public service and in shaping the credibility of this new market”.

For more clarity, he maintained that the era of regulatory ambiguity was over, following the establishment of the framework, that also defined the expectations that made compliance mandatory, and not optional

“We expect strict adherence to licence conditions, transparency in operations, discipline in service delivery, and responsiveness to customers. Where operators perform, they will be supported. Where they fall short, the regulatory consequences will be applied”, the ASERA CEO, emphasized.

Expatiation the Interim Licence, Onyegbule explained that they are transitional and will last about six months, while the final licences would follow the conclusion of public consultations on regulatory frameworks.

According to him, the state government has advanced negotiations toward concluding a takeover transaction involving Umuahia Ring Fenced area from the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), which he said could be finalised before the end of the second quarter.

In his remark, the state Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Engineer Ikechukwu Monday, described the development as “a significant milestone in the ongoing reform of the electricity sector in Abia State”.

Commissioner Monday , who spoke through the Special Adviser to the state Governor on Energy, Engineer Kachy Etolue, said “the issuance of Interim Distribution and Generation Licences reflects the State Government’s firm commitment to translating policy into practical outcomes that will drive economic growth and improve the quality of life for AbIa citizens

“And with the enactment of the Abia State Electricity Law, 2025, and the conclusion of the transition period in December 2025, the state has now assumed full responsibility for regulating its electricity market,

Maintaining that the success of this initiative will depend on your ability to deliver reliable electricity, uphold regulatory standards and maintain the confidence of the public”, Commissioned Monday

The Commissioner therefore urged the Licensees to operate professionally, discipline and strong commitment to service delivery, stressing that the new framework presents both opportunities and responsibilities for all stakeholders to ensure the successful realisation of the reform objectives.

“The success of this initiative will depend on your ability to deliver reliable electricity, uphold regulatory standards and maintain the confidence of the public”, Commissioner Monday stressed

ASERA’s Executive Director, Legal and Regulatory, Barrister Iguwo Ukwu, who outlined strict compliance expectations for the operators, stressing that adherence to regulatory frameworks is mandatory, further emphasised the need for service reliability, transparency in billing, metering and customer engagement as well as accurate reporting, robust consumer protection mechanisms, even as he noted that “customers are at the centre of the electricity market”.

“Licence conditions are binding, and adherence to all reporting, operational and technical requirements will be closely monitored. Non-compliance will attract appropriate regulatory sanctions”, he warned.

Speaking with journalists on the sideline, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of New Era Distribution Limited Engineer Vincent Ekweku, opined that the licence issuance marks the beginning of a more structured electricity market.

He said ” from today, the regulation goes into full stream, so that Abia State market can be better, which means that now, you can’t just do anything you want to do anymore because you are regulated,” predicting that the Abia state Market will work seamlessly under strict adherence to regulatory provisions. (The Guardian)

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