FG SETS UP NATIONAL COMPLAINT CENTRE TO TACKLE ELECTRICITY SERVICE PROBLEMS

The Federal Government is planning to establish a national call centre where electricity consumers across Nigeria will be able to report power supply complaints and seek solutions to service disruptions. The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, disclosed this on Wednesday during the commissioning of a 3MW hybrid mini-grid project and renewable energy workshop and training centre at Yakubu Gowon University, Abuja.

Tegbe said the proposed centre would provide consumers with a dedicated channel to lodge complaints about electricity supply and have them addressed. He added that the platform would also create opportunities for young Nigerians through jobs expected to emerge from the initiative.

The minister also disclosed plans for a separate reporting channel through which members of the public could alert authorities about the vandalism of electricity infrastructure. He said the government was working with the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to tackle the destruction and theft of critical power assets.

The announcement came alongside the commissioning of the university's hybrid electricity project under the second phase of the Energising Education Programme. The facility comprises a 3.3MWp solar array, 3MW of AC output capacity and 2MWh of battery storage, with a separate grid connection to support non-critical electricity demand outside solar generation hours.

The Rural Electrification Agency said the Energising Education Programme had so far delivered more than 100MW of electricity across 22 federal institutions and university teaching hospitals. The Yakubu Gowon University project is expected to serve about 58,726 students and includes 388 streetlights designed to improve campus lighting and security, while reducing reliance on diesel generators for teaching, research and other institutional activities.