FG To Open Call Centre In Abuja By 2013, Says Minister

Mrs Omobola Johnson, the Minister of Communications Technology, in Abuja on Wednesday said? a 150-seat? call centre? in Abuja Technology Village would be inaugurated by the first quarter of 2013.

The minister made the statement during the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the Ministry of Communications Technology.

She said that the call centre would demonstrate partnership and collaboration between the two ministries and create a milestone in government’s strategy for e-governance.

In his remark, Sen. Bala Mohammed, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory,? said the establishment of the centre would make government more accessible to a greater percentage of Nigerians.

He said the signing of the MOU would facilitate the establishment of a unique facility that would be located at the Abuja Technology Village.

Mohammed said the centre with other complementary centres, such as the Software Training Centre, was an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Communications Technology to facilitate the realisation of the transformation agenda.

He said that this kind of collaboration was being encouraged to form the required synergy for the efficient working of government.

The minister said that the FCTA call centre had been of great benefit to FCT residents, who used it to ask for services or lodge complaints.

“Interestingly, some callers actually commend us for excellent services. On our part, the call centre has helped us to respond quickly to distress calls and to provide services where needed,’’ Mohammed said.

However, he said that the technology village scheme would among other things; create a suitable business environment for its intended tenants.

Mohammed said the required services would be provided for tenant firms to operate with competitive advantage.

He said the project would also create avenues to engage the Nigerian youths positively.

The minister said it would demonstrate the great potential of a science and technology park which would attract private sector participation.