The Senate on Wednesday ordered an investigation into alleged airtime deductions for failed and dropped calls, directing its communications committee to examine subscribers’ complaints.
The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Senate Chief Whip Tahir Monguno and presented by Deputy Senate Leader Oyelola Ashiru.
The committee is to engage the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and telecommunications operators, establish subscribers’ financial losses and recommend measures to protect consumers.
The complaints include calls that fail to connect, end abruptly or become inaudible, leaving customers to make repeated attempts at additional cost. Monguno argued that subscribers should not pay for services operators had not effectively delivered.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio said lawmakers could widen the inquiry if the committee did not provide satisfactory answers. That would involve questioning Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy Minister Bosun Tijani, the NCC’s executive vice-chairman and operators.
The committee has four weeks to submit its findings and recommendations for further legislative and regulatory action.
Sources: Punch; Channels Television
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