Reps propose free Internet for public schools, hospitals

The House of Representatives has taken the initiative to provide free internet services in selected public places for Nigerians.
This development follows the passage of a bill last week during its first reading which was sponsored by Abubakar Kusada, the representative of Federal Constituency, Katsina State.

Rallying support for the bill, Kusada noted that Nigeria recognizes the vital role of information and communications technology in nation-building, and emphasized the policy will promote an environment for the development of structures that would ensure availability and accessibility to reliable and secure internet access.

Some of the public places covered under the proposed law include federal, state, and local government offices, secondary and tertiary institutions, and public hospitals, including health centers in rural areas. Other locations listed include police, Army, Navy, and Customs barracks, public parks, plazas, libraries and reading centers, public airports and seaports, as well as public transport terminals.

Furthermore, the proposed law empowers the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to set standards and qualifications for determining which public places shall be included and prioritized for the programme’s rollout.