The Nigerian Senate has ordered an investigation into complaints that telecommunications companies deduct subscribers’ airtime despite failed calls and interrupted network connections.
The Senate gave its Committee on Communications four weeks to investigate the complaints, determine the financial losses suffered by consumers and recommend possible legislative measures to address the problem.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio issued the directive during Wednesday’s plenary, instructing the committee to engage the minister responsible for telecommunications, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and other relevant stakeholders.
The investigation followed a motion sponsored by Senate Chief Whip Muhammed Monguno, representing Borno North, and seconded by Senator Ned Nwoko of Delta North.
Presenting the motion on Monguno’s behalf, Senator Lola Ashiru of Kwara South expressed concern over the difficulties faced by millions of Nigerians who depend on telecommunications services for personal communication, business transactions and access to public institutions.
Ashiru said subscribers frequently experience failed calls, dropped connections and interrupted conversations, even when airtime has already been deducted from their accounts.
He explained that the situation often forces customers to make repeated calls to complete conversations, resulting in additional expenses caused by network problems beyond their control.
The senator noted that traders, students and small business operators were among those affected, warning that the combined financial losses across millions of subscribers could be substantial.
Supporting the motion, Nwoko described the proposed investigation as necessary, arguing that telecommunications services had become essential to everyday life in Nigeria.
He maintained that subscribers should not be charged for communication services they did not effectively receive.
The lawmaker also called on regulatory authorities to intervene and ensure that telecommunications operators provide consumers with value for their money.
Following deliberations, the Senate directed its Committee on Communications to investigate the complaints and invite the NCC and telecommunications operators to explain the recurring problems.
The committee is expected to examine the extent of subscribers’ financial losses and propose measures to prevent customers from bearing the cost of unsuccessful calls caused by network failures.
The outcome of the investigation could influence future regulatory measures and consumer protection policies in Nigeria’s telecommunications industry.
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