…Shettima directs NCC, NEMA to draw implementation roadmap as NEC mobilises funding

The Federal Government has stepped up efforts to operationalise 112 as Nigeria’s single national emergency number, directing the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to work with state governments and emergency response agencies on a coordinated implementation plan.

 

Vice President Kashim Shettima gave the directive on Tuesday during a meeting at the Presidential Villa with a delegation from the NCC led by the Chairman of its Governing Board, Chief Idris Ibikunle Olorunnimbe.

 

The meeting followed the recent approval by the National Economic Council (NEC), chaired by the Vice President, adopting 112 as the country’s unified emergency number across all tiers of government and relevant response agencies.

 

The initiative is aimed at creating a seamless national emergency response system that will enable Nigerians to access police, ambulance, fire and disaster response services through a single emergency number, in line with global best practices.

 

Shettima directed that a comprehensive implementation roadmap be developed to ensure the successful rollout of the initiative nationwide.

 

He also asked the NCC to work closely with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), citing the agency’s extensive experience in disaster management, emergency response, relief and rehabilitation.

 

The Vice President assured the Commission that the initiative would receive sustained support, saying funding would be mobilised through the National Economic Council and private sector partnerships.

 

He further stressed the need for strong collaboration among governors and emergency response agencies to guarantee the project’s success.

 

Earlier, Olorunnimbe briefed the Vice President on progress made by the Commission, disclosing that the NCC has established about 35 Emergency Communications Centres (ECCs) across the country to support the national emergency response system.

 

He thanked Shettima for providing leadership on the initiative and for pledging to engage key stakeholders, including the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), to secure nationwide support for its implementation.

 

According to him, the next phase of the project requires stronger commitment from state governments to maintain the communications infrastructure already deployed by the Commission.

 

He also stressed the need for full integration and cooperation among all emergency response agencies to ensure distress calls receive prompt attention.

 

“If someone calls for police intervention and, for some reason, the call does not reach the police, that person will not receive the help they need.

“So, we need commitment at every level of all response agencies, from top to bottom, including the Nigeria Police Force, ambulance services across the states and, at the national level, the National Emergency Management Agency.

 

“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,” Olorunnimbe said.

 

The National Economic Council had earlier approved the adoption of 112 as Nigeria’s unified emergency number and established a multi-agency implementation committee to be coordinated by the Office of the Vice President and the NCC as part of efforts to strengthen emergency preparedness and response nationwide.