Lawmakers demand explanations over failed calls, dropped connections and alleged unjustified airtime deductions suffered by subscribers.
The Senate has warned that it may summon the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Executive Vice-Chairman and telecommunications operators over persistent poor network services and alleged unauthorised airtime deductions.
The warning followed the adoption of a motion during plenary, which raised concerns about financial losses suffered by Nigerians through failed calls, dropped connections and other network disruptions.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio said the Senate Committee on Communications would first engage the NCC and demand explanations over the complaints. He, however, warned that the minister, the commission’s leadership and telecom operators could be summoned if their responses were unsatisfactory.
The motion, sponsored by Senator Tahir Monguno and presented by Deputy Senate Majority Leader Oyelola Ashiru, highlighted subscribers’ complaints about losing airtime despite unsuccessful calls.
Monguno noted that Nigerians frequently experience failed connections, abrupt call disconnections, inaudible conversations and network interruptions, forcing them to make repeated calls and incur additional costs.
He argued that subscribers should not be charged for services that operators fail to deliver effectively and urged the Senate to direct its communications committee to investigate the complaints and recommend measures to protect consumers.
Akpabio blamed inadequate regulatory supervision for some of the avoidable losses suffered by subscribers and warned that the Senate would take further action if there was no improvement. He also described the proposed four-week reporting period as too long, given the urgency of the matter.