Akpabio threatens legal action against contractor over faulty microphones in n’assembly

 Senate President Godswill Akpabio has threatened legal
action against the contractor that renovated the national assembly complex over
persistent technical faults affecting both chambers.

 

Akpabio spoke on Wednesday after senators repeatedly
struggled with malfunctioning microphones during plenary.

TheCable reported that despite the billions of naira spent
on renovating the national assembly complex, lawmakers have continued to
grapple with malfunctioning microphones, poor audio quality and an inoperative
electronic voting system since returning to the refurbished chambers in April
2024.

The persistent technical failures forced both the Senate and
the House of Representatives to abandon electronic voting for manual procedures
during deliberations on key constitutional amendment bills, including the state
police proposal.

‘WE’RE GOING TO TAKE ACTION’

Akpabio said he was embarrassed by the state of the
facilities during the opening of the 2026 National Assembly Open Week at the
House of Representatives on Tuesday.

“Distinguished colleagues, I hope you are taking note of the
fact that our microphones are not working well, because we are going to take
action,” Akpabio said.

“I was at the house of representatives yesterday to
represent you on the opening of their National Assembly Week, and in the course
of it, myself and the speaker were thoroughly embarrassed.

“The same contractor that handled the renovation of the
House of Representatives handled this one.

“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 said the Senate leadership was documenting the
recurring technical failures ahead of any action against the contractor.

“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. We are all witnessing what is going on now,” he added.

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