• move to resolve lingering power outage Kaduna
By Christiana Ekpa
The House of Representatives, Tuesday mandated its Committee on Human Rights, to investigate the alleged violation of the rights of Nigerians and other passengers to quality air travel services in Nigeria, by airline operators.
This was just as the House adopted two separate motions on the need to resolve the lingering issue of power outage in Lere federal constituency of Kaduna State, and need to reconstruct the collapsed bridge in new Ndebiji and Calabar-Ekang Cameroon highway, Cross River State.
The resolution of the lawmakers was sequel to the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon. Karu Simon Elisha and Hon. Taiwo Oluga at the plenary, Tuesday.
Hon. Elisha while Presenting the motion said
the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission Act was established to promote and protect the interest of consumers over all products and services among others.
The Lawmaker equally noted that Nigerians and other consumers have the right to be protected by the Consumer Protection Department under the Directorate of Air Transport of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) launched on March 2001, to ensure that aviation customers get the best services in the transportation.
He said the House is aware that the department was established to serve as the eye of the industry responsible for informing, educating and protecting consumers and ensuring the provision of quality services in the Aviation sector.
Elisha said the House is also aware of the challenges confronting the aviation sector despite interventions in reviewing airfare charges being tolerated by both consumers and government to cushion the effects yet, the airfare charges and travel disruption have continued to increase daily.
He however expressed concerns that the continuous complaints and outcry by Nigerians and other air passengers have become alarming with the consistent violation of passenger rights to service delivery by airline service providers.
He opined that the inconsistency of air travel schedules due to sudden delay, cancellations and other airlift service provision, consumers are shortchanged in their businesses, health conditions and social and economic ventures without due compensation.
In the motions sponsored by Hon. Ahmed Munir and Hon. Daniel Asuquo respectively, the House mandated its Committees on Power and Appropriations to capture in the 2023 budget the construction of 132/33KVA substation in Lere Local Government Area; and as well mandated its Committee on Works to investigate the circumstances surrounding the abandonment of the construction of the Calabar–Ekang road by Setraco construction company and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.
