The House of Representatives has initiated steps toward providing free internet services in select public spaces across Nigeria.
According to The PUNCH, this move comes after the passage of a bill during its first reading last week titled ‘An Act to provide the legal framework for the free internet access programme in selected public places in Nigeria and for other related matters’.
The bill was sponsored by Mr. Abubakar Kusada, who represents the Kankia/Ingawa/Kusada Federal Constituency in Katsina State.
In advocating for the bill, Kusada highlighted the critical importance of information and communications technology in driving national development.
He stated, “Nigeria recognizes the vital role of information and communications technology in nation-building,” and emphasized a policy to “promote an environment for the development of structures that would ensure availability and accessibility to reliable and secure internet access.”
According to a copy of the bill obtained by The PUNCH, the proposed law encompasses a variety of public locations, including federal, state, and local government offices, as well as secondary and tertiary educational institutions.
It also covers public hospitals and health centers in rural areas, military barracks (including police, Army, Navy, and Customs), public parks, plazas, libraries, reading centers, airports, seaports, and public transport terminals.
Section 1 of the bill stipulates that “No fee shall be collected from users to connect on the public internet access points.”
It further clarifies that the free internet service provided will be distinct from the internet used for backend computer systems, databases, and management information systems within government offices.
However, it allows for shared use of infrastructure, ensuring that technical measures may only be implemented to restrict access when there is a “clear and present technical risk or breach that cannot be remedied through ordinary technical solutions.”
The emphasis remains on prioritizing technical solutions that maintain or enhance user accessibility.
Under the proposed law, the Nigerian Communications Commission and the National Information Technology Development Agency will be empowered to establish standards for determining which public places should be prioritized for the program’s rollout.
Section 3 designates the NCC and NITDA as the lead implementing agencies responsible for overseeing the efficient execution of this initiative, alongside entities such as the Nigerian Satellite Communications Limited and the Nigerian Internet Group, an advocacy organization focused on internet issues.
To ensure effective administration of the proposed law, the bill mandates that within one year of its commencement, the NCC and NITDA develop a comprehensive plan for implementing and promoting the program.
These agencies are also required to collaborate with federal, state, and local governments, as well as private sector partners and relevant organizations, to align the comprehensive plan with the budgets and strategies of all agencies involved in providing free internet access.
Moreover, the bill authorizes the NCC and NITDA to “prescribe policies, regulations, and coordinate the timely and effective implementation of this Act.”
They may also enter into contracts for its implementation, securing funding from various sources—private, governmental, foreign, or domestic.
In line with the National Broadband Plan, the bill mandates that the minimum internet speed provided to users must be at least two megabytes per second or as specified otherwise.
In a bid to enhance service delivery and efficiency, the bill encourages the NCC and NITDA to collaborate with private sector entities. Section 6(1) states, “To promote an efficient and cost-effective delivery of free internet access in public places, NCC and NITDA may partner with the private sector in the implementation of the programme.”
Additionally, it allows that “The excess capacity of private sector partners may be offered to deliver supplemental internet access service for a reasonable fee to the user in the areas where programme facilities are located,” contingent upon these partners registering with the NCC as value-added service providers.
To further reduce costs and improve accessibility, the bill encourages private service providers to exchange data tariffs through designated domestic internet protocol exchanges, as identified by the NCC and NITDA.
This innovative approach seeks to create a more connected Nigeria, leveraging the power of the internet to enhance communication and access to information for all citizens.
