NCC to launch Emergency Communications Centres

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has concluded plans to launch a number of Emergency Communications Centres (ECC) across the country to enhance security. This is part of  its 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 […]

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has concluded plans to launch a number of Emergency Communications Centres (ECC) across the country to enhance security.

This is part of  its 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,” a statement from NCC said yesterday.

The Centres will be launched in various states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the statement added.

In this regard, NCC said, Nigerians can now 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) approved the establishment of the National Emergency Communications Agency (NECA) to set up an Emergency Communications System for Nigeria.

The ECC are specially designed to answer all 112 emergency calls and to direct each call to the appropriate Response Agency closest to the caller.

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 ECC are: Anambra, Akwa-Ibom, Benue, Edo, Enugu, FCT, Imo, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Ondo, Ogun, Oyo and Plateau.