The Federal Government has announced plans to work with state governors and emergency response agencies to complete arrangements for the nationwide adoption of 112 as Nigeria’s single emergency telephone number.
The initiative was disclosed in a statement on Thursday by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), Stanley Nkwocha.
The statement followed a meeting between a delegation from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), led by the Chairman of its Governing Board, Chief Idris Ibikunle Olorunnimbe, and Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa on Tuesday.
According to the statement, the meeting came days after the National Economic Council (NEC), chaired by Shettima, approved the adoption of 112 as the national emergency number for all levels of government and relevant agencies as part of efforts to establish a coordinated emergency response system.
Shettima directed the NCC to develop a roadmap for implementing the initiative and collaborate with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to improve coordination among emergency responders nationwide.
“He assured the delegation that the project would be sustained, noting that the required funding would be mobilised through the National Economic Council and the private sector.
“The Vice President also called for high-level engagement and commitment from emergency responders to drive the successful implementation of the 112 initiative,” the statement read.
Speaking earlier, Olorunnimbe said the NCC had established about 35 Emergency Communications Centres across the country, but stressed the need for stronger support from state governments and emergency agencies to ensure their effective operation.
He said state governors, the Nigeria Police Force, ambulance services and NEMA must work together to guarantee timely assistance for citizens in distress.
“Everyone is expected to buy into this initiative and recognise its importance. It is a patriotic duty to ensure that anyone in distress can get the help they need in a very swift manner,” he said.
The Federal Government said the adoption of a single emergency number would help streamline emergency response operations and improve access to urgent assistance across the country.
