Bukola Afeni
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has urged Nigerians to utilize the Emergency Communication Centres (ECCs) in the country.
The commission said it is expanding the facility to every nook and cranny to facilitate rescue operations in the country.
NCC said that beyond providing essential emergency response services to the public, the centres equally provide employment placements for several youths, and professionals, as well as offering informal business activities to the citizens nationwide.
The Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka, in a statement explained that the ECC are fully operational.
“27 state capitals could be accessed via the toll-free number, 112, and work similarly to the 911 emergency numbers in developed parts of the world, to provide succour to distressed individuals and organisations.
“The ECCs, which have been constructed and are now fully operational in a total of 27 State Capitals across the country, are reachable on Toll-Free Number 112.
This is operating in similar design like the 911 Emergency Numbers in some developed parts of the world, to provide succour to individuals, who are witnesses or under distress of emergency”, he said.
According to him, emergencies can arise from fire outbreaks, robbery or violent attacks, domestic and road accidents, and health crises. Nigerians should instantly reach response agencies through the toll-free three (3) digit number, 112.
“Four more centres are currently undergoing test-runs to commence services in September 2023, to bring the total to 31, while another set of four are expected to come into operations before the end of the year.”
“The Commission provided technology platforms such as Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) systems for the respective response agencies such as police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Fire Service, Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC), Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Ambulance Service, and State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMA) to facilitate the dispatch of emergency calls through the national emergency toll-free number 112.”
“The three-digit code was designed to ensure that citizens in emergencies can easily recall the three-digit code, 112, to report emergencies”, he said.
He added that agents of the ECCs, have been trained, and equipped with state-of-the-art communications equipment, including digital radio and Internet (IP) and geo-location technologies to enable responders to easily identify the location of incidents for effective and efficient delivery of rescue services to the public.”
“Emergency Centre services in Nigeria are available, live, 24 hours a day as the agents run in shifts to ensure that services are delivered at all times of the day.
The commission said more than 1,200 Nigerians have been employed at the 27 operational centres across the federation.
“Agents of the ECCs, have been trained, and equipped with state-of-the-art communications equipment, including digital radio and Internet-protocol (IP) and geo-location technologies to enable responders to easily identify the location of incidents for effective and efficient delivery of rescue services to the public.”
“Emergency Centre services in Nigeria are available, live, 24 hours a day as the agents run in shifts to ensure that services are delivered at all times of the day.
“The response agencies, such as the Police with round-the-clock duties to prevent, stop and arrest crimes, are now being provided with additional mobile communications devices, some installed in their offices, to enable them to instantly receive information from call agents at the centres.
“This is to also ensure that the top echelon of the force is provided instant information for command and control over emergencies or incidents across the country.” NCC disclosed.
