- Telecommunications Regulator Urged To Synergise Critical Agencies
By Clifford Agugoesi, Editor-in-Chief
Concerned that Nigerians are currently going through stress in accessing critical agencies in emergency situations, especially in the rural areas, the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly-the Senate, has moved to put an end to this through the instrumentality of the law, as a Bill titled “Emergency Communications Bill,” sponsored by former Governor of Ogun State, south west, Nigeria, Ibikunle Amosun, has passed second reading. Senator Amosun represents Ogun Central at the Senate.
Among other things, the Bill seeks to establish a short code that Nigerians could dial and seamlessly access emergency agencies and, by extension, emergency responses from many and varied agencies, that could save lives and property. The lawmaker is aware telecommunications sector umpire, the Nigerian Communications Commission(NCC), has an initiative called Emergency Communications Centres (ECCs) being built across the 36 states and the FCT, but would really want it to become a truly national project, with buy-in of all stakeholders.
EVC/CEO of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, had noted that activation of the ECCs had become necessary at a time when the country was faced with insecurity issues such as insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery and many more life-threatening incidents, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
With 19 ECC’s already established in 18 states of the Federation and the FCT, Danbatta said the centers played a vital role during emergencies as they facilitated response from emergency response agencies such as the Nigerian Police Force, the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Fire and Ambulance Services, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and others by dialing 112 from any network.
Details of the bill are sketchy and it is not clear whether its sponsors praying for the rubber-stamping of the 112 code already activated by NCC, although the chief sponsor Amosun, appreciates the need for a 3-digit code and notes the pivotal role of the Commission in its efficacy, effectiveness and efficiency and prays in the bill for a synergy between NCC and sister agencies. “I appeal to the Nigerian Communications Commission to close ranks with other agencies…, ” Amosun said.
Going by the body language of the Senators, the bill appears to be condemned to receiving an expedited attention, ostensibly because of its criticality and national importance at this time.
