Senate President Godswill Akpabio has threatened legal action against the contractor responsible for renovating the National Assembly complex over persistent technical faults affecting the microphones in the Senate and House of Representatives chambers.
Akpabio issued the warning during Wednesday’s plenary after lawmakers again experienced difficulties with malfunctioning microphones while making contributions.
Expressing frustration over the recurring faults, the Senate President described the situation as an embarrassment to both the National Assembly and the country.
He said: “Distinguished colleagues, I hope you are taking note of the fact that our microphones are not working well. “You are taking note of it because I intend to take action.”
Akpabio recalled facing a similar situation a day earlier while representing the Senate at the opening of the National Assembly Week in the House of Representatives.
According to him, the same contractor handled the renovation of both legislative chambers.
He said: “I was in the House of Representatives yesterday to represent you at the opening of the National Assembly Week and, in the course of it, the Speaker and I were thoroughly embarrassed.
“The same contractor that handled the renovation of the House of Representatives handled this one.”The Senate President warned that the National Assembly would explore legal options if the contractor failed to address the recurring defects.
He stated: “If this continues, we have steps we can take legally to ensure that a good job is done because this is an embarrassment to our nation.” Akpabio also urged senators to take note of the repeated technical failures, saying the incidents would justify any future action taken against the contractor.
He added: “I hope you are taking note of it so that when they go to social media to start complaining after we have taken action, you will know why we took the action. “You are all witnessing what is going on now.”
