... Tegbe unveils reporting channel for power complaints, infrastructure vandalism
The Federal Government is planning to establish a national electricity complaints call centre to give consumers across Nigeria a direct avenue to report service challenges, seek redress and track complaints to resolution.
Minister of Power, Chief Joseph O. Tegbe, disclosed this while commissioning a 3-megawatt hybrid solar power project and Renewable Energy Workshop and Training Centre at Yakubu Gowon University, Abuja.
Tegbe said the proposed centre would strengthen accountability and responsiveness in the electricity sector while improving consumer confidence.
“My office is working on a call centre where electricity complaints across the country can be lodged and resolved,” the minister said, adding that the initiative could also create sustainable employment opportunities for young Nigerians.
He also announced plans for a dedicated reporting channel through which Nigerians could alert authorities to the vandalism of critical electricity infrastructure, including transformers, transmission towers and other power assets.
According to him, the Federal Government is collaborating with the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to tackle the destruction of electricity infrastructure.
Tegbe urged Nigerians, including members of the university community, to regard the protection of power infrastructure as a shared responsibility and promptly report cases of vandalism.
The minister spoke against the backdrop of the commissioning of the hybrid power project, delivered under Phase II of the Federal Government’s Energising Education Programme by the Rural Electrification Agency.
The project is expected to support teaching, research, laboratory activities and digital services at the university, while 388 streetlights installed as part of the project are expected to improve visibility and security on the campus.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency, Abba Aliyu, said the establishment of the Renewable Asset Management Company would help ensure that renewable-energy assets are properly managed, maintained and protected after commissioning.
The planned complaints centre and vandalism reporting channel are part of efforts by the Federal Government to strengthen consumer engagement and improve protection of electricity infrastructure across the country.
