The Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) has established Emergency
Communication Centres (ECC) across 18 States of the country including
the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The ECC are operational in Benue, Kwara, Plateau, Kaduna, Kano,
Katsina, Ogun, Ekiti, Ondo, Oyo, Edo, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Imo,
Enugu, Anambra and Adamawa.
This was disclosed at the weekend by NCC Executive Vice Chairman,
Engr. Umar Garba Danbatta, at the maiden Security and Emergency
Management Awards (SAEMA) in Abuja, while delivering a speech on:
‘Leveraging on Emergency Communication Centre for National Security’.
The commission said the toll-free emergency telephone shortcode (112)
is for Nigerians to seek for help in times of distress and emergency.
Other reasons include: “To provide a one-stop-shop for receiving
distress calls from the public and dispatching same to appropriate
Response Agencies (“First Responders”) who will respond to the needs of
the callers.
“To provide easy, effective and coordinated access by members of the
public to Response Agencies (Police, FRSC, Fire Service, Ambulance
Service etc.) in times of emergency/distress.”
Danbatta, who bagged Goodwill Ambassador on Crisis Communication at
the event, said that there are only three numbers to remember in an
emergency 1-1-2, which he noted, eliminates the need to determine which
emergency agency to call.
Represented by Chukwuma Azikiwe, Head of ECC, Professor Danbatta
said: “There is no gainsaying that the discourse on security situation
is a topical issue and of national concern, which every citizen of this
country is conscious of, as its affects our well‐being and tranquillity.
“In the year 2005, the then Honourable Minister of Communication set
up a committee drawn from relevant key stakeholders (Public and Private
Sectors) to develop a framework to facilitate the establishment of a
well-coordinated nationwide public protection and disaster relief
communication system for the country.”
Speaking, Executive Secretary of the Centre for Crisis Communications
(CCC), Air Commodore Yusuf Anas (rtd), said the body was willing to
partner with NCC to ensure that the Emergency Centres function
effectively.
“With our pool of experts in crisis communication and media
management, we are sure to complement the efforts of NCC in this
regard,” he said.
The Chairman, Panel of Jury for SAEMA 2019, Air Vice Marshal (AVM)
Mohammed Audu-Bida, commended the NCC efforts in the management of
crisis communication.
Audu-Bida, who was represented by Mr. Mohammed Usman Shuwa, said.
“Establishment of Emergency Communication Centres is one project that
has always been dear to my heart. As the DG of NEMA I conceptualized the
idea of having emergency communication centres in the country.
“I will urge the EVC of NCC to go all the way in making sure that
these centres function effectively as it will complement the efforts of
the security and response agencies. Now that NCC has put up the
facilities, it should seek the partnership of experts and professional
crisis managers to give life to the centres.”