Senate queries Isa Pantami over ‘poor control of communication facilities’

The Nigerian senate has directed its committees on communications and legislative compliance to interrogate Isa Pantami, communications minister, over the country’s growing insecurity.

The resolution of the upper legislative chamber followed a motion sponsored by Emmanuel Bwacha, senate’s deputy minority leader, on Wednesday.

While moving his motion, the Taraba south senator lamented that the authorities are allowing people use communications services without taking their information – valid identification and biometrics.

The lawmaker said there is suspicion that government officials “tasked with the responsibility of protecting citizens” have been compromised.

“The assassination of Nasarawa state APC chairman and other high profile cases are still fresh in our memories,” he said.

“A Chinese national was recently abducted in my community, his whereabouts are still unknown.

“This is heightened by arrest of several security operatives involved in armed robbery and kidnapping activities across the country. It is only in Nigeria that communication facilities can be used without a biometric process, no valid identification of passport details (in the case of foreigners) in place to check abuse.”

He said some politicians are taking advantage of the security situation in the country to recruit the youth to destabilise the polity.

“This evil intent can be easily achieved given the poor control over communication facilities viz inability of our security apparatus and service providers to effectively manage this all-important sector,” he said.

The motion was adopted by the lawmakers after it was put to a voice vote by Senate President Ahmad Lawan.