The government's decision to launch the 24-hour free Wi-Fi service comes as part of efforts to support workers following the implementation of a three-day weekly work schedule for civil and public servants. This initiative is aimed at mitigating the impact of the removal of fuel subsidies by the Federal Government.
Under the new work schedule, employees in the state are expected to work three days a week at the office and two days from home, utilising the e-governance platform to ensure productivity and efficient service delivery to the people of Edo.
The free Wi-Fi service is currently available at several locations, including the School of Nursing on Limit Road/Sapele Road, the Pensions Bureau at Ring Road Roundabout, Victor Uwaifo Centre on Airport Road, Civil Service Commission on Sapele Road, and the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy (JOOPSA) on Central area Road/Igbinedion Road.
Managing Director of the Edo State Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA), Goodluck Igbinedion, highlighted that the initiative is in its first phase and will be expanded to cover other local councils within the state. The free Wi-Fi service aims to provide convenient internet access to workers and individuals residing near the designated locations.
To connect to the free Wi-Fi, users need to be within 200 meters of any of the listed locations and scan for the network named "Edo State Government Free Wi-Fi" on their devices. No password is required for connection, and each location can accommodate approximately 800 users simultaneously, providing around-the-clock connectivity.
Regarding technical support, Igbinedion assured users that the Wi-Fi service is expected to be seamless with minimal technical issues. However, the Edo ICTA has a dedicated technical support team available to provide assistance if needed. Users can contact the agency through a toll-free number, which will be made available in collaboration with the Edo Command and Control Centre, for any support or troubleshooting requirements.