Nigerian Senate threatens to summon telecom operators
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Premium Times and Punch
Illustrative image · Ismail Salad Osman Hajji dirir Somalia · Pexels · Licence PexelsNigeria’s Senate has threatened to summon the Communications Minister and telecom operators to explain poor service quality and disputed airtime deductions. It has ordered a four-week investigation into the financial losses suffered by subscribers, according to Premium Times.
The Senate Committee on Communications is to investigate deductions of phone credit linked to failed calls, interrupted calls or calls terminated prematurely, and establish the financial losses suffered by subscribers. The resolution was adopted following a motion by Majority Leader Tahir Monguno, presented by the Deputy Majority Leader and subsequently supported by Ned Nwoko.
The investigation concerns MTN Nigeria, Globacom, Airtel and T2 Mobile in particular, and must also examine complaint mechanisms, automatic refunds for calls confirmed to have failed, independent audits of billing systems and compliance with service quality standards. The committee must submit its findings and recommendations within four weeks.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio asked the committee to begin its work immediately and warned that the Senate could resume the investigation in plenary if the report was deemed unsatisfactory. He said that the operators, the minister responsible for overseeing the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the NCC’s executive vice-chairman could then be summoned.
The investigation must also determine whether the disputed deductions result from technical failures, billing system problems or regulatory shortcomings, and identify possible legislative or regulatory measures, particularly regarding refunds and the handling of complaints.
