NCC Establishes Emergency Communication Centres in 18 states – PRNigeria News

NCC Establishes Emergency Communication Centres in 18
states
… Launches 112 Toll-Free Emergency Telephone Number
The Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) has established and
operationalised Emergency Communication Centres (ECC) across 18
States of the country including the Federal Capital Territory
(FCT), as a measure towards tackling the emerging security
challenges.

This was disclosed by the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Engr.
Umar Garba Danbatta, at the Maiden Security and Emergency
Management Awards (SAEMA) in Abuja.

Guests at SAEMA AWards and Conference in Abuja

Danbatta disclosed this while delivering his keynote speech on:
‘Leveraging on Emergency Communication Centre for National
Security’, which he said provided the Commission the opportunity to
speak on one of its initiatives/efforts in ensuring a safer and
secure Nigeria.

According to the NCC Boss, the Commission embarked on the
construction and operationalization of the ECCs across the country
to provide a universal, toll-free emergency telephone short code
(112) for use by members of the public in Nigeria to seek for help
in times of distress/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 need
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.

To this end, he said that the Commission has already fully
activated and operationalized ECC in the following 18 States: FCT,
Benue, Kwara, Plateau, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Ogun, Ekiti, Ondo,
Oyo, Edo, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Imo, Enugu, Anambra and
Adamawa.

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.”

He recalled that on the 23rd September, 2019, the Minister of
Communication and Digital Economy Dr. Ali Isa Ibrahim (Pantami),
commissioned the National Emergency Toll-Free number “112” and the
Katsina State Emergency Communication Centre, representing the
North West Zone.

Likewise, Danbatta said, necessary preparations and arrangements
are being put in place to ensure the successful commissioning of
other Centres as well embarking a comprehensive publicity campaign
on the usage of the emergency centres across the country.

He went further to list the positive impacts of the
operationalization of the ECC in ensuring safety, security of
lives/properties and the associated socio-economic benefits
recorded so far cannot be overemphasized.

He stressed that in line with an item of the 8-Point Agenda
unveiled in 2016 through Facilitating Strategic Collaboration and
Partnership, NCC are currently embarking on some collaborative
efforts with relevant agencies to: Ensure effective and efficient
management of the ECC and service delivery; and Facilitate and
ensuring adoption/usage and publicity of the 112 by the public and
response agencies.

Air Comr Yusuf Anas (Rtd) presents SAEMA
Golden Award to Customs Spokesperson, Mr. Joseph Attah in Abuja

Reacting to this development, the Executive Secretary of the
Centre for Crisis Communications (CCC), Air Commodore Yusuf Anas
(rtd), considered it as heart-lifting, the report that the NCC is
establishing Emergency Centres across the states.

Anas assured that CCC is willing, able and ready 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 compliment the effort of NCC in this
regard,” he said.

In the same vein, the Chairman, Panel of Jury for SAEMA 2019,
Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Mohammed Audu-Bida, commended the interest
that the NCC is showing and giant stride it is making in the
management of crisis communication.

Audu-Bida who was represented by Mr. Mohammed Usman Shuwa, said
the decision to establish Emergency Communication Centres across
the 36 states of the federation by NCC is not only timely but very
strategic given the imperative of communication in emergency or
crisis management.

“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 and in fact…

“I will urge the EVC of NCC to go all the 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.”

He urged the NCC to explore the possibilities of partnering with
CCC to give Nigerians a very effective emergency communication
centres.

On the awards, Audu-Bida congratulated all the nominees and
winners, noting that the whole idea is to spur them to even more
dedication and commitment to the service to fatherland.

To those who did not win in this particular edition, he
expressed belief that they still stand more chances of winning in
subsequent editions, adding “all you need to do is to keep up the
good work”.

SAEMA
Award-Winners

There were 18 winners from the 54 finalists who all received
Certificate of Excellence with Nigerian Army, Police and Air Force
topping the winner’s table.

The Award Categories include: Humanitarian Services,
Crime-Fighting, Emergency Journalism, Cybercrime Prevention,
Gallantry, Law Enforcement, Intelligence Service, Emergency
Management, Corporate Social Responsibility, Public Information,
Training Institute, Community Service, Volunteer Group,
Civil-Military Relations, Crisis Manager, Private Security,
Military and security officers of the year.

By PRNigeria^[1]