The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has finalized plans to introduce Emergency Communication Centres (ECCs) across the country. This is in alignment with global practices.
The new initiative is part of the Commission’s mandate to “Promote and enhance public safety through the use of a particular number which shall be designated as the Universal Safety and Emergency Assistance Number for telephone services generally.”
According to reports the ECCs will be launched in the various states in the country and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This will enable Nigerians access help from any Response Agency such as the Police, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Fire and Ambulance Services by simply dialing a toll-free number 112 from any network.
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) had endorsed the creation of the National Emergency Communications Agency (NECA) to set up an Emergency Communications System for Nigeria. Members were drawn from the Ministry of Communication, NCC, Telecom Network Operators, Security Agencies, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and other relevant agencies for the adoption of a three-digit emergency number, 112.
In the absence of an Act for NECA, the FEC approved that NCC should push for the establishment of one model Emergency Communications Centre in each of the states in the federation and the FCT.
As part of the process, the various states in the country were asked to set aside a suitable piece of land, like its counterpart contribution for the establishment of the Emergency Communications Centre in the state, while NCC was to build, equip and operate the Centres for some years before handing over to the states.
The Commission had made moves to ensure that the Centres are established in various parts of the country. These Centers are specially designed to answer all 112 emergency calls and to direct each call to the appropriate Response Agency closest to the caller, thereby serving as a communication link between Public Response Agencies and members of the public.
The 112 number is a Toll-free line and can be called from any network. This three-digit number will help to provide timely information to relevant agencies for the prevention of crime, rescue distressed persons, mitigate and possibly prevent disasters.
Some of the states with operational Emergency Communications Centres are Anambra, Akwa-Ibom, Benue, Edo, Enugu, FCT, Imo, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Ondo, Ogun, Oyo, and Plateau.
