NCC to Provide N24.2bn for Internet Access at 20 Airports, Says Pantami

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has been saddled with the responsibilities of providing internet facilities at 20 airports, some institutions of learning and markets across the country.

According to the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Panatami, who announced the approval after the Federal Executive Council, the project costing N24.2 billion will be spearhead by the NCC.

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 memos, certain intervention projects are going to be implemented by the NCC.

“Internet will be provided in 20 selected airports in Nigeria and higher institutions of learning as well as some markets to support micro, small and medium enterprises. A contract was awarded for the provision of broadband in some selected airports. 20 of them are going to be covered in the first phase of the project.

“You have three airports in each geo-political zone. In South-West you have two in Lagos State, one in Ondo State; South-East you have Imo, Anambra and Enugu States will benefit; Rivers and Akwa-Ibom States for South-South; North West has 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 North-East Region.”

Pantami said internet broadband will be provided for free for use by passengers coming to the airports, adding that a sustainability model has been developed for effective maintenance of the facilities.

He also announced that 43 higher institutions of learning will be linked to the internet facility.

“Some of them are universities, some polytechnics and the price for the contract which covers the airports and institutions of learning is N18.95 billion. The second approval was for the provision of broadband to some selected markets. At the cost of N5.25 billion and the total for both memos is N24.20 billion and the project is going to be implemented by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC),” he explained.

Credit: VON