The House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee investigating the persistent poor quality of telecommunications services has given the chief executive officers of MTN, Airtel, Globacom, Mafab Communications and other operators seven days to appear before it.
The ultimatum was issued at a public hearing in Abuja on Wednesday and set an October 28 appearance for the operators after several companies failed to honor earlier invitations.
The decision followed two motions sponsored by Rep. Sunday Umeha and Rep. Afam Ogene.
The lawmakers expressed displeasure over the failure of invited operators, including MTN Nigeria and Mafab Communications, to appear before the committee as previously requested.
The lawmakers directed the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to enforce compliance and warned that chief executives who failed to attend could face arrest summons.
Consequently, the committee has directed the NCC to ensure that all affected operators comply with the invitation, appear at 2 p.m. on October 28 and submit relevant documents before the hearing.
The panel said the chief executives must explain the deterioration in service quality affecting millions of subscribers and businesses nationwide.
Committee Chairman Rep. Olumide Osoba said reliable networks are now indispensable to Nigeria’s economy, including voice calls, internet access and point-of-sale transactions.
He said the House created the committee to investigate recurring subscriber complaints and identify the causes of poor service.
He criticized executives who sent excuses or lower-ranking officials instead of appearing personally, saying the chief executives are better positioned to explain operational challenges and commitments to improvement.
Also speaking, Rep. Ibe Osonwa said it was unacceptable for companies generating substantial revenue in Nigeria to disregard legislative invitations.
He said operators must account for the services delivered to customers, warning that the House would not tolerate attempts to frustrate the investigation.
The October 28 hearing is expected to focus on the causes of recurring network failures, subscriber complaints and measures to improve service quality.
The committee reiterated that chief executives must attend in person and said noncompliance could trigger further legislative action, including arrest summons.
In a separate development, the House Committee on Infectious Diseases called on the Federal Government to strengthen surveillance, emergency medical measures and border monitoring to prevent the spread of Ebola Virus Disease.
Committee Chairman Rep. Amobi Ogah made the appeal at a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday.
The lawmakers urged the Finance Ministry to release all outstanding appropriated funds to relevant health agencies so they can carry out preparedness and response duties.
They also asked the Health Ministry and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) to assess Nigeria’s readiness and ensure timely access to needed resources.
Ogah said federal and state health agencies, public and private institutions and development partners should remain on high alert.
He called for stronger contact tracing, prompt testing and isolation of suspected cases, along with protective equipment and resources for frontline health workers at airports, land borders and health facilities.
He said relevant House committees would engage ministries, departments and public-health institutions for updates on Ebola preparedness and report back for further legislative action.
The panel also pledged oversight of emergency funding, medical supplies, surveillance systems and operational coordination.
Ogah urged Nigerians to remain calm, rely on official health authorities and avoid misinformation.
“The detection of a case must serve as a call to action, not a cause for panic,” he said, adding that Nigeria should apply lessons from its successful 2014 Ebola response.
