Following the launch of the ECC in Abuja by President Muhammadu Buhari, Nigerians now have access to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) via any of the eighteen Emergency Communication Centres (ECC) across the country.
At the launch which also included the unveiling of the National Broadband plan 2020-2025, Toll-Free Number 112, commissioning of the Communications and Digital Economy Complex as well as the take-off of the Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training.
The President has commended the laudable developments, stating that, “it will enhance the development of our National Digital Economy and support our efforts in diversifying the economy”
The commissioning of the Toll-Free Number 112, also shows the commitment of the country’s leadership in resolving to keep its citizens safe.
“We have taken advantage of Digital Technologies to ensure that Nigerians in distress, are only a dial away from the relevant emergency response institutions in the country”, the President emphasised
On the commissioning of the ECC, the EVC noted the efforts of NCC in facilitating the establishment of 18 ECCs across 17 states in the country with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) inclusive.
This according to the EVC is in line with the Commission’s mandate under section 107 of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003.
“This is to promote and enhance public safety through the use of a particular number designed as the universal safety and emergency assistance number for telephone services generally; and to encourage and facilitate the prompt deployment throughout Nigeria of seamless, ubiquitous and reliable end-to-end infrastructure for emergency communication needs,” the EVC enthused.
Also speaking on the launch of the ECC, Dr. Henry Nkemadu said, “The Emergency Communication Centres have already been commissioned and as such if there are calls to the Centres on the CORONAVIRUS epidemic, the agents will transfer the calls to the appropriate responders, in this case, NCDC for necessary actions”.
This statement was reiterated by the NCC after the African Telecommunications Union (ATU), has put together guidelines to support the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic.
ATU has urged all members to consider it’s guidelines to ensure the safety of its citizens.
Technology has become a veritable tool in combating and responding to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Featured Image: footprint2africa
