By Ubong Ukpong, Abuja 

The House of Representatives on Wednesday, summoned telecommunication operators in the country to appear before it over the present poor network services.

The Ad Hoc Committee investigating the persistent poor quality of telecommunication services in Nigeria gave the chief executive officers (CEOs) of major telecom operators seven days to appear before it and explain the deteriorating quality of network services across the country.

The committee issued the ultimatum at a public hearing in Abuja on Wednesday, directing the CEOs of MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, Globacom (Glo), Mafab Communications Ltd.

and other telecommunications service providers to appear before it on October 28, 2026.

The resolution followed the adoption of two motions sponsored by Rep. Sunday Umeha and Rep Afam Ogene after the committee expressed displeasure over the failure of the invited telecom operators, including MTN and Mafab Communications, to honour previous invitations and appear before the lawmakers.

The committee directed the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to ensure that all the affected operators comply with the invitation and appear before it at 2 p.m. on October 28 in Hearing Room 447 of the New Building of the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.

It also directed the operators to submit all relevant documents to the committee on or before the scheduled date and account for the persistent decline in service quality, which has continued to affect millions of subscribers and businesses across the country.

The lawmakers warned that any chief executive who failed to honour the invitation would face a possible summons for arrest to compel their appearance before the committee.

Speaking at the hearing, the committee’s Chairman, Rep. Olumide Osoba (APC-Ogun), said telecommunications services had become indispensable to Nigeria’s economy, extending beyond voice calls and internet access to critical commercial activities, including Point of Sale (POS) transactions.

Osoba noted that businesses, financial transactions and other essential services depended heavily on reliable telecommunications networks, making the persistent decline in service quality a matter of serious national concern.

He said the House constituted the ad hoc committee to investigate the recurring complaints by subscribers and determine the factors responsible for the poor quality of services provided by telecommunications operators.

The chairman, however, expressed concern that the invited chief executives had continued to evade direct engagement with the committee by offering various excuses or sending lower-ranking officials to represent them.

He said the practice undermined the purpose of the parliamentary investigation, stressing that the committee expected the chief executives, who were in a position to explain their companies’ operational challenges and commitments, to appear in person.

Also speaking, Rep. Ibe Osonwa expressed displeasure over what he described as the operators’ disregard for the House, despite the substantial revenue they generated from their operations in Nigeria.

Osonwa said it was unacceptable for companies benefiting from the Nigerian market to ignore invitations from the legislature, particularly when the purpose was to obtain explanations on issues directly affecting their customers and the wider economy.

He stressed that telecommunications operators had a responsibility to account for the quality of services delivered to Nigerians, adding that the House would not overlook any attempt to frustrate its investigation.

In his ruling, Osoba urged the NCC to ensure full compliance with the committee’s resolution, reiterating that the affected telecommunications operators must appear before the lawmakers on October 28 and provide the necessary explanations and documents.

By Ubong Ukpong, Abuja 

A bill for an Act to move the nation to developing the capacity to design, manufacture and commercialize drones, passed second reading on Wednesday, in the House of Representatives.

The “Bill for an act to provide for the development, promotion and industrialisation of the Nigerian drone industry; and for related matters,” was sponsored by the Deputy Speaker, Rep.

Benjamin Kalu and 12 others.

Leading the debate, one of the co-sponsors, Rep. Satomi Ahmad said the Bill seeks to establish a legal and institutional framework for the development, promotion and industrialisation of Nigeria’s drone industry.

Ahmad explained that it focused on indigenous research, design, manufacturing, commercialisation; reducing dependence on imported technology; building local content and technical capacity.

He said that it is also aimed at attracting investment; creating jobs; and positioning Nigeria as a competitive regional and international centre for drone manufacturing and related services.

Ahmad lamented that Nigeria’s dependence on imported technology has limited opportunities for local innovation, job creation and industrial growth and without coordinated support for manufacturing, commercialisation.

According to him,  indigenous enterprises may struggle to translate promising ideas into viable products.

He therefore urged his colleagues to support the Bill as it sought to 

address these gaps through targeted incentives, government procurement 

preferences, innovation funding and local-content requirements. 

Ahmad expressed optimism that the bill would transform Nigeria from a consumer of drone technology into a producer of 

indigenous solutions, skilled professionals and competitive industrial products.

The lawmaker said that its successful implementation could stimulate investment, create employment, 

strengthen national security and open new markets for Nigerian innovation.

“It is important to note that the future belongs to nations that can transform technological innovation into industrial capacity, economic prosperity and national security.

Drone technology is increasingly vital to agriculture, 

infrastructure, emergency response, scientific research and defence,” he said.

The lawmaker said that  Nigeria must therefore move beyond dependence on imported technology towards developing its own capacity to design, manufacture and commercialise drones.

From Ene Asuquo, Calabar

Cross River State Governor, Sen. Bassey Edet Otu, has presented a proposed budget of ₦987, 808, 089, 235.92bn for the 2027 fiscal year christened: “The Budget of Consolidation and Renewed Hope”.

Presenting the budget before the lawmakers at the Assembly Complex in Calabar, Otu described the proposed estimates as “A Solemn and sacred pact laden with the trust, expectation and aspiration of the people for their improved livelihoods”.

The 2027 proposed budget represents an increase of about 2.

57 percent over the 2026 budget was prepared to consolidate the achievements of his administration while addressing critical developmental needs in key sectors of the state’s economy.

According to him, the proposed expenditure comprises ₦279.38 bn or 28.28 percent for recurrent expenditure and ₦708.43 bn for capital expenditure, representing 71.72 per cent of the total budget   respectively.

He explained that the substantial capital allocation reflects his administration’s commitment to prioritise infrastructure, human capital development and productive investment to stimulate economic activities.

On the state’s debt profile, Otu disclosed that his administration had refrained from domestic and external loans since assumption of office stressing that debt servicing from previous administrations had constrained the pace of development projects.

“I cannot, and will never mortgage the future of our children with unsustainable loans”. He declared.

On sectoral allocations, the Governor stated that ₦246.1bn had been earmarked for infrastructure and road development, followed by education with N99.6 to strengthen educational infrastructure and improve the quality of learning across the state.

The health sector is projected to receive ₦85.4bn to improve healthcare delivery, agriculture has #28.2bn and aviation N21.8bn.

Other provisions include #20.2 bn for the House of Assembly, N19.1bn for the Judiciary, #16.6bn for power and #11.3 bn for Tourism.

The Governor assured that the budget will continue to align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals while promising continuity in uncompleted projects. He also pledged continued investment in forest conservation and the green economy, Judicial Infrastructure, security and youth empowerment.

Otu further highlighted his administration’s plans to improve internally generated revenue, attract private-sector investment and strengthen fiscal discipline to ensure effective implementation of the budget.

“My administration shall continue to be responsive to the yearnings of the citizenry, prudent in the management of the State’s resources and accountable to the people. l will continue to work with the legislature and Judiciary for the betterment of the State.”

 He commended the 10th Assembly for hard work and urged the lawmakers to give the proposed estimates the necessary legislative consideration and speedy passage to facilitate the timely execution of government programmes and projects.

In his remarks, the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, commended the Governor for presenting the budget which demonstrates his respect for democratic institutions. He assured Otu of the Assembly’s commitment to a thorough legislative examination of the estimates.

The Speaker said the House would scrutinise the proposals to ensure that the budget reflects the needs and aspirations of Cross Riverians as well as promote transparency and accountability in public expenditure.

“I wish to assure you, your Excellency and the good people of Cross River State that this Assembly will subject the estimates to thorough, rigorous and expeditious scrutiny”.

Speaker Ayambem assured that the Assembly will engage with Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to ensure that the budget promotes even development across the State and is implemented within available resources.

He commended the Governor for zero tolerance for cultism, kidnapping, and other social vices which has restored peace and tranquility in the State adding that the 10th Assembly remains committed to providing robust legislative support to the Executive for the benefit of Cross Riverians.

“We have passed critical bills and motions aimed at strengthening governance, improving the ease of doing business and ensuring the welfare and security of Cross Riverians. We have diligently performed our oversight functions to ensure that projects and programmes captured in the 2026 Budget are executed to specification for the benefit of our people.

He hailed Governor Otu for his achievements in the various sectors of the state while appealing for the Governor’s assistance in the comprehensive renovation of the Assembly Complex and Quarters as well as the provision of buses for the Assembly’s use.

Delta Funds Projects without New Debt – Commissioner

Delta is funding its 2026 procurement cycle and executing major development projects without contracting new debt, Commissioner for Finance, Fidelis Tilije, has said.

Tilije disclosed this during a meeting with management and staff of the ministry of finance on Wednesday in Asaba.

He attributed the approach to fiscal discipline, improved revenue generation and prudent resource management.

Tilije said the state’s improved financial position had also earned it the highest liquidity rating among Nigeria’s 36 states.

According to him, the administration of Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori is pursuing infrastructure development while prioritising responsible borrowing and efficient public financial management.

Tilije listed roads, bridges, healthcare and education among the sectors benefiting from the government’s investments.

He said the administration’s strategy was to meet its development obligations through available resources rather than accumulate additional debt.

The commissioner attributed the state’s improved revenue performance partly to the expansion of non-oil revenue sources and reforms to strengthen internally generated revenue (IGR).

He emphasized that the increase in IGR was not driven by higher tax rates but by measures to improve revenue collection.

According to him, the reforms included widening the tax net, improving compliance, professionalising revenue collection and eliminating revenue leakages.

Tilije said the government was also preparing to introduce more economically viable empowerment programmes to improve livelihoods and expand opportunities for residents.

On workers’ welfare, he said the state had maintained regular salary payments to more than 60,000 personnel.

He said salaries were paid between the 24th and 25th of every month.

The commissioner also highlighted the institutionalisation of the 13th-month salary for public servants as part of the government’s commitment to workers’ welfare.

In the health sector, Tilije said the government had sustained free medical services for pregnant women and children under five in government hospitals.

He added that the administration was upgrading primary healthcare centres across the state.

Tilije assured residents that the government would sustain its commitment to fiscal responsibility, infrastructure development and human capital investment.

He called on the people of Delta to support Oborevwori’s re-election bid in 2027, and expressed confidence that the administration would consolidate its achievements.(NAN)

FCT Teachers Resume Classes after Suspending Strike over Promotion Delays

Teachers in Federal Capital Territory public schools have resumed academic activities after suspending their strike over delayed promotions, vacant positions and redeployment of senior officers.

They said in Abuja on Wednesday that academic activities had resumed, with teachers delivering lessons to students.

‎Head Teacher, LEA Primary School Garki Area 10, Shuaibu Usman, said the grievances that prompted the industrial action were not primarily financial, but concerned career progression and the redeployment of experienced educational administrators.

‎Usman said the unresolved issues included the suspension of the 2025 promotion exercise, lack of vacancies for promotion and redeployment of senior officers to classrooms.

‎He said the redeployment policy had raised concerns among affected officers, particularly directors and principals who were returned to classroom duties despite their experience in educational administration.

‎”Our grievance with the government is not a monetary aspect. We are talking of vacancies, that there is no promotion because there is no vacancy,” he said.

‎The head teacher also identified the non-conclusion of the 2025 promotion exercise as one of the reasons for the strike.

‎On redeployment, Usman said some experienced officers who had served in administrative and quality assurance positions were being returned to classrooms.

‎He questioned the rationale behind returning directors and principals to classroom duties, arguing that their experience could be better utilised in mentoring younger teachers and strengthening the educational system.

‎”I think that is the most painful aspect of this. Somebody that has worked and the government said we need your effort more to groom those coming, you are telling that person to go back to the class,” he said.

‎Usman appealed to the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, to examine the redeployment policy and address concerns surrounding the placement of experienced educational administrators.

‎The head teacher said the strike had been suspended rather than called off, adding that the resumption followed a government circular directing schools to recommence academic activities.

‎”According to the circular, we suspended the strike. We didn’t call off. We have resumed based on the suspension,” he said.

‎On pupils’ attendance, Usman said a considerable number had returned to school, attributing the turnout partly to communication between teachers and parents through an established platform.

‎He explained that parents were informed whenever schools were scheduled to resume, enabling them to prepare their children for the continuation of academic activities.

‎Also speaking, the principal of Government Secondary School, Garki, Malam Sadeeq Ochiji, confirmed that academic activities had resumed, with teachers delivering lessons to students.

‎The principal said teachers and students had returned to school in compliance with the directive to resume academic activities.

‎”We have resumed. The students are in their classes, and the teachers are teaching them, the principal said.

Ochiji added that the school resumed on Wednesday, noting that principal officers had been reporting to duty. (NAN)