The Federal Government is set to establish a national call centre where Nigerians can report electricity-related complaints and seek solutions to power supply issues.
Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, disclosed this on Wednesday during the commissioning of a 3MW hybrid mini-grid and a renewable energy workshop and training centre at Yakubu Gowon University, Abuja.
Tegbe said the proposed centre would provide a central platform for receiving and addressing complaints from electricity consumers across the country.
He also announced plans for a separate reporting channel through which cases of vandalism involving critical power infrastructure can be quickly reported for intervention.
According to the minister, the government is working with the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to tackle the vandalism of electricity assets.
Tegbe urged students and other members of the university community to help protect power infrastructure by reporting incidents involving the destruction or theft of electricity equipment, including transformers and transmission towers.
He said the newly commissioned project is expected to provide electricity to 58,726 students, while 388 streetlights installed on the campus would improve visibility and security.
The minister added that reliable power at the university would support academic research, reduce dependence on diesel-powered generators and lower the institution’s energy costs.
Meanwhile, Abba Aliyu, Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency, said the Renewable Asset Management Company was created to ensure renewable energy infrastructure is properly managed and maintained after installation.
Aliyu stressed that sustaining renewable energy projects requires cooperation among government agencies, institutions and other stakeholders.
He said the long-term success of the university project would depend not only on the infrastructure delivered but also on how effectively it is maintained.
