Pantami Says Communications Ministry To Spend N41.6bn IGR On Broadband Provision In Institutions, Airports, Markets

The Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy is set to spend its Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, of N41.6 billion in the provision of broadband connectivity in higher institutions, airports and markets.

Minister, Prof. Isa Pantami, at a press conference on Thursday stated that the N41.6billon was internally generated from Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC.

He said that the money would provide interventions in 113 tertiary institutions, airports and markets in three phases of the gesture.

Mr Pantami said: “The total amount we have committed to spend is approximately N41.6billion.

“19 universities, one Federal College of Education, 20 markets and the second and third phases, we have provision for 20 airports, six additional markets and 49 higher institutions of learning.

“The whole money is from our internally generated revenue that we have decided to spend to other institutions and support without retaining any money from that amount.”

He said the Implementation level in some institutions wa between 72 per cent to 91 per cent in phase one, hence implementing phases two and three of the interventions in institutions, airports and markets.

Mr Pantami said that he convinced both the NCC Board’s Chairman, Prof. Adeolu Akande and the Executive Vice-Chairman, Prof. Umar Danbatta to spend the money on other sectors such as education and commerce.