FG moves to create National Power Complaints Centre

…As Tegbe unveils channel for reporting vandalism of electricity infrastructure

By Adebola Muili

The Federal Government is set to establish a national electricity complaints call centre through which consumers across the country will be able to report service challenges, seek redress and track their complaints to resolution.

The 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 complaints centre was aimed at strengthening accountability and responsiveness in the power sector, while providing electricity consumers with a direct channel through which their concerns could be addressed.

“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 would also create sustainable job opportunities for young Nigerians.

He said the Federal Government was also planning a dedicated reporting channel through which Nigerians could alert relevant authorities to vandalism of critical electricity infrastructure, including transformers, transmission towers and other power assets.

According to him, the reporting mechanism would facilitate faster intervention and help curb the destruction of infrastructure deployed to improve electricity supply across the country.

Tegbe said the Federal Government was collaborating with the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to address the vandalism of electricity infrastructure.

He urged Nigerians, particularly members of the university community, to regard the protection of power infrastructure as a collective responsibility and promptly report cases of vandalism to the appropriate authorities.

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 provide reliable electricity for teaching, research, laboratory activities and digital services at the university, while its 388 streetlights are expected to improve visibility and security across the campus.

Also speaking at the event, 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 were properly managed, maintained and protected after commissioning.

The proposed complaints centre and vandalism reporting channel are part of the Federal Government’s broader efforts to improve accountability and public participation in the power sector.

The initiative is also expected to give electricity consumers a clearer avenue for reporting service challenges, while strengthening the protection and maintenance of public investments in electricity infrastructure.