By Dwelleth Morountodun
The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has urged all providers of public internet to comply
with its 2019 guidelines even as it urged for compliance on data protection and regulation Act.
Pantami, in a statement made available to SHARPEDGENews Online said the directive geared towards the promoting and regulating information technology in the country.
He said the agency is set to enforce compliance with the public internet access (PIA) regulation, issued pursuant to section 6 of the NITDA Act 2007.
He said: “It is on these considerations that all service providers of public internet service such as IT companies, restaurants, hotels and event centres are directed to comply with the Nigerian data protection regulation.
NITDA enforces compliance with the regulatory framework for providers of public internet access services
The public internet access regulation is a regulatory framework for the provision of internet services in public areas or locations where members of the public have unfettered access, adding that it provides minimum requirements and processes for provisioning of the public internet access service and mandates compliance reporting to ensure the rules are followed in the provision of this vital service.
The agency however commends operators who are currently providing this service across Nigeria, as the service increases the use of internet and information technology for development of Nigeria.
This service can be misused with great detriment to development of information technology and national security, in a manner that may be injurious to the citizens.
The government, NITDA said is also concerned about the management and use of the personal information of Nigerians.
He said: “Current and prospecting providers are therefore required to register with the agency in line with the provisions of the public internet access regulation, 2019 and must submit, on a bi-annual basis, completed compliance reporting forms in the manner prescribed by NITDA.
“The Public Internet Access (PIA) Registration form and the Public Internet Access Compliance forms are available on the Agency’s website: www.nitda.gov.ng