NCC will drive adoption of 112 as national emergency number nationwide, says Presidency

*Nigeria’s National Economic Council, at its 157th Council meeting, approves the establishment of a multi-agency implementation committee, and programme coordination, led by the Office of the Vice-President and Nigerian Communications Commission

Gbnega Kayode | ConsumerConnect

The Nigerian Government through the National Economic Council (NEC), in Abuja, FCT, has approved the adoption of 112 as the National Emergency Number at all levels and across relevant agencies in the country.

ConsumerConnect reports the decision is part of measures aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s emergency lifeline while building a unified and coordinated national response to emergencies.

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The NEC approval of the 112 national emergency number was part of several decisions taken against the 157th Council meeting held virtually.

Vice-President (Senator) Kashim Shettima, GCON, chaired the meeting, in Abuja.

The Council equally approved the establishment of a multi-agency implementation committee, and programme coordination, led by the Office of the Vice-President and Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

VP Shettima: 112 Emergency lifeline essential during disasters, insecurity

Speaking on the strategic importance of the 112 as the national emergency number, Vice-President Shettima said the emergency lifeline had become necessary to prevent delay caused by bureaucratic bottlenecks in Nigeria.

He noted that what Nigerians seek urgently, when confronted by natural disaster, or insecurity, is an urgent response and not bureaucracy.

Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of The Vice President), in a recent statement, quoted VP Shettima said: “This is not only a technical reform. It is a test of the state’s humanity.

“In moments of fire, accident, robbery, medical emergency, flood, violence, or panic, citizens do not need bureaucracy.

“They need response. They need to know one number to call, one system to trust, and one coordinated chain of action that moves quickly enough to save lives.”

The Nigerian Vice-President further explained that since Nigeria is not beginning from zero, as the emergency number has been in existence, what are required at the moment are coordination, adoption, standard operating procedures, public awareness, institutional ownership, and trust.”

Meanwhile, as a public safety reminder, First Help Africa has said in any emergency situation, the first step is to call emergency services in the West African country.

The organisation also noted that Nigeria’s National Emergency Number for Police, ambulance, fire services, and road accidents.

It affirmed that the “toll-free line works nationwide, 24/7, and connects you to trained responders who can provide immediate assistance.”

NEC remains Nigeria’s economic engine room, says VeePee

Highlighting the Federal Government’s efforts at re-engineering the Nigerian economy, Vice-President Shettima described NEC as the West African country’s economic engine room.

According to him, this is where the Federal and State Governments must convert the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu into practical outcomes.

He stated: “We cannot build our way to a one-trillion-Dollar economy by Federal effort alone.

“We cannot create millions of jobs by speeches alone. We cannot expand exports, attract investment, secure communities, or unlock productivity unless every tier of government understands its role and performs it with urgency.”

The Vice-President as well urged the National Executive Council members to focus on decisions that would have impact positively on the lives of consumers.

VP Shettima said: “History will not ask how many meetings we held. It will ask what changed because we met.

“It will ask whether our decisions reached the farmer, the manufacturer, the artist, the investor, the accident victim, the unemployed graduate, and the child waiting to inherit the country we are rebuilding.”

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