MMIA, Ikeja
MMIA, SMICA, AKIA, PHIA terminals, 16 others to get free internet services for passengers
High-traffic aviation facilities in the country including; the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos, the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport (SMICA) in Oweri, Imo State, Aminu Kano International Airport (AKIA) in Kano, and the Port Harcourt International Airport (PHIA) in Omagwa, Rivers State are among a list 20 airports set to be installed with free internet services for air travellers and other airport users.
This is sequel to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approval of the sum of N24.2 billion for the provision of internet facilities at the beneficiary 20 airports. The list of other beneficiaries also include 43 institutions of learning and selected markets, across the country.
Full description of the beneficiary 20 airports are; three in the airports located in Imo, Enugu and Anambra, one each for Lagos and Ondo airports; each for Rivers and Akwa Ibom airports; Abuja Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Kwara state airports get one each; one each for Kano, Sokoto and Kebbi airports; as well as, one each for Borno, Adamawa and Gombe airports.,
Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami, who disclosed this at the end of Wednesday’s meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari, said the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) will spearhead the provision of internet facilities at the designated airports and institutions.
“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,” said Pantami.
The minister added that 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.
