FG plans national call centre for power complaints

The Federal Government is planning a national call centre where Nigerians can report electricity complaints for prompt resolution, Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe has said.

Tegbe disclosed this on Wednesday during the commissioning of a three-megawatt hybrid mini-grid and renewable energy workshop and training centre at Yakubu Gowon University, Abuja.

He said the planned call centre would provide a central platform for receiving and resolving complaints from electricity consumers across the country.

“My office is working on a call centre where electricity complaints across the country can be lodged and resolved,” Tegbe said.

The minister also announced plans for a dedicated channel through which vandalism of electricity infrastructure could be reported for immediate intervention.

He said the government was working with the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to tackle vandalism of power assets.

Tegbe urged students to help protect electricity infrastructure, including transformers, transmission towers and the newly commissioned solar facilities.

He said the project would provide electricity to 58,726 students, while 388 streetlights would improve lighting and security on the campus.

According to him, reliable power would boost research activities, reduce the university’s dependence on diesel generators and cut its operating costs.

Meanwhile, the Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency, Abba Aliyu, said the Renewable Asset Management Company was established to protect and maintain renewable energy infrastructure.

Aliyu said sustaining such projects required the cooperation of government agencies, institutions and other stakeholders.

“The ultimate value of this project will depend not only on what we have installed, but on how well it is sustained,” he said.