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 both the Senate and House of Representatives chambers.

Akpabio issued the threat during Wednesday’s plenary after senators repeatedly experienced difficulties with malfunctioning microphones while contributing to debates.

Expressing his frustration, the Senate President said the recurring technical problems had become an embarrassment to the legislature 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 that he was similarly embarrassed a day earlier while attending the opening of the National Assembly Week at the House of Representatives.

He said the same contractor handled the renovation of both legislative chambers.

“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,” he said.

The Senate President warned that the National Assembly would not hesitate to explore legal options if the contractor failed to rectify the defects.

“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 stated.

He also urged senators to take note of the situation, saying any future action against the contractor would be based on the recurring failures witnessed during plenary.

“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,” he added. (PUNCH)

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