Joseph Tegbe, Nigeria’s minister of power has disclosed plans to establish a nationwide electricity complaints call centre, alongside a dedicated channel for reporting asset vandalism for immediate remediation.
Tegbe who stated this at the launch of the 3megawatt captive solar hybrid power project at the University of Abuja, now known as Yakubu Gowon University, on Wednesday, charged students and staff of the Univeristy to help safeguard the new infrastructure by reporting any vandalism of the solar system or other power assets, including transformers and transmission towers.
The minister also explained that a joint team drawn from the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is working to curb vandalism of electricity infrastructure nationwide.
‘My office is working on a call centre where electricity complaints across the country can be lodged and resolved. This initiative will provide sustainable job opportunities for our youth nationwide.
‘In addition, we plan to provide a dedicated channel where vandalism of critical assets can be reported for immediate action and remediation,’ he said. Tegbe said that the 3MW solar project would provide a more reliable energy base for teaching and research, while stressing that its long-term performance would be the real measure of the investment.
The project was delivered under Phase II of the Energizing Education Programme (EEP), implemented by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) through the World Bank-funded Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP).
The minister noted that Yakubu Gowon University project is one of many institutions being powered by federal government to provide enhanced education to students.
He said that the Phase 2 of the energizing education program covers 6 other institutions including: University of Maiduguri and teaching hospital (12MW), Federal University Gashua in Yobe state (1.5MW), Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (3 MW), Univerisity of Calabar and teaching hospital (7 MW), Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (3MW), and Defence Academy in Kaduna state(2.5MW). ‘Across successful phases, the program is extending this investment in education to different parts of our country. This sustained investment is a testimony to this administration’s consistency of purpose. There is perhaps no better place to demonstrate the practical value of Nigeria’s energy transition than a university.
‘Energizing education also protects the investments already made in academic facilities and specialist equipment. It reduces the disruption that weakens research and makes learning more difficult. These benefits extend beyond the campus, through graduates whose skills strengthen the economy and research that helps solve the country’s problems. ‘The commissioning is not the conclusion of the investment. It is the beginning of its most important phase,’ Tegbe said.
The minister further disclosed plans to deliver such project across all public universities in the country and take the universities off-grid. This for him will ensure a 24 hour power supply for academic activities.