The 112 National Emergency Helpline came on board in 2012, even though it was long overdue for a nation like Nigeria. This project is saddle with the mandate of providing interface between the distressed caller and response agencies. Emergencies situations ranging from road accidents, fire outbreaks, collapse buildings, rape cases, robbery cases, flood, bomb blast etc. What is obtainable in advanced societies like United States of America, is the 119 emergency response line. The Emergency Communication Centers project is intended to bridge the communication gap between the distresses and emergency response agencies in the country as earlier mentioned. Telecom operators route emergency calls through the dedicated three- digit toll free number 112. Numerous centres have been built and provided with equipment across the nation in all the six geopolitical zones.
Reading about this laudable project, more than #10 billion had been spent on the establishment of Emergency Communication call Centres across the country by the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC). According to the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of (NCC) Prof. Umar Danbatta, the Commission spent more than #10 billion to set up it’s ECC for citizens in distress or requiring emergency service.
He however admitted that not many people are aware of these centres started in 2003 when the National Assembly (NASS) passed the Act to use the digit 112 as Emergency Communication Numbers.
Help has reached distressed callers through this interface, owing to timely dispatch and intervention of response team, one of such outstanding examples was featured on this platform. See link https://www.nairaland.com/3970657/lagos-emergency-response-works-saved
It will be a disservice to Nigerians if this help is withdrawn from the common man, by shutting down the only center functioning, over #10 billion has been used to establish these centres , it will amount to a wanton waste of tax payers money if these centre are non-functional. These project is for the common good of over 190 million Nigerians. A concerned Nigerian view point. Reference https://m.guardian.ng >business-service.