Nigerian government approves N24.2 billion for free internet facilities at airports and markets
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved N24.2 billion for the provision of internet facilities at 20 airports, some educational institutions and markets across the country.
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami revealed this when he briefed State House correspondents on the outcome of the Council meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday in Abuja.< /p>
According to him, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) will spearhead the provision of internet facilities at designated airports and institutions.
He said: “The Federal Executive Council has approved two memos for the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), a parastatal under the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.
"In these notes, some intervention projects will be implemented by the NCC.
"Internet will be provided at 20 selected airports in Nigeria and tertiary institutions as well as selected markets to support micro, small and medium enterprises.
"A contract has been awarded for the provision of broadband in selected airports, 20 of them will be covered in the first phase of the project.
"You have three airports in each geopolitical zone.
"In the South West you have two in Lagos State, one in Ondo State; In the South East you have Imo, Anambra and Enugu States who will benefit; Rivers and Akwa-Ibom States for South-South.
"North-Central includes the Federal Capital Territory and Kwara States; Kano, Sokoto and Kebbi States will benefit from the North West, while Borno, Adamawa and Gombe States will benefit from the northeast."
According to him, high-speed Internet will be provided free of charge to passengers coming to airports, adding that a sustainability model has been developed for efficient maintenance of the facilities.
Mr. Pantami also announced that 43 higher education institutions would be connected to the Internet service.
"Some of them are universities, some are polytechnics and the contract price which covers airports and educational institutions is N18.95 billion.
"The second approval was for the provision of broadband to selected markets at a cost of N5.25 billion.
"The total of the two memos is N24.20 billion and the project will be implemented by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC)," the minister explained.
(NAN)
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The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved N24.2 billion for the provision of internet facilities at 20 airports, some educational institutions and markets across the country.
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami revealed this when he briefed State House correspondents on the outcome of the Council meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday in Abuja.< /p>
According to him, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) will spearhead the provision of internet facilities at designated airports and institutions.
He said: “The Federal Executive Council has approved two memos for the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), a parastatal under the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.
"In these notes, some intervention projects will be implemented by the NCC.
"Internet will be provided at 20 selected airports in Nigeria and tertiary institutions as well as selected markets to support micro, small and medium enterprises.
"A contract has been awarded for the provision of broadband in selected airports, 20 of them will be covered in the first phase of the project.
"You have three airports in each geopolitical zone.
"In the South West you have two in Lagos State, one in Ondo State; In the South East you have Imo, Anambra and Enugu States who will benefit; Rivers and Akwa-Ibom States for South-South.
"North-Central includes the Federal Capital Territory and Kwara States; Kano, Sokoto and Kebbi States will benefit from the North West, while Borno, Adamawa and Gombe States will benefit from the northeast."
According to him, high-speed Internet will be provided free of charge to passengers coming to airports, adding that a sustainability model has been developed for efficient maintenance of the facilities.
Mr. Pantami also announced that 43 higher education institutions would be connected to the Internet service.
"Some of them are universities, some are polytechnics and the contract price which covers airports and educational institutions is N18.95 billion.
"The second approval was for the provision of broadband to selected markets at a cost of N5.25 billion.
"The total of the two memos is N24.20 billion and the project will be implemented by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC)," the minister explained.
(NAN)
Support the integrity and credibility journalism of PREMIUM TIMES Good journalism costs a lot of money. Yet only good journalism can guarantee the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy and a transparent government. For free and continued access to the best investigative journalism in the country, we ask that you consider providing modest support to this noble endeavour. By contributing to PREMIUM TIMES, you help sustain relevant journalism and keep it free and accessible to everyone.Donate
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