Senate Moves to Launch Toll-Free Emergency Line

The Nigerian Senate is advocating for the establishment of a National emergency number for reporting emergencies to relevant agencies of Government. 

This formed part of discussions at the one-day Public Hearing on the Nigerian Postal Service Act and the Nationwide Toll-Free Emergency Number establishment bill organized by the Senate Committee on Communications.

In her presentation, Chairman, Communication Committee, Senator Oluremi Tinubu noted that the Toll-Free emergency number bill will give the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) powers to supervise and ensure compliance, while that on NIPOST will give the postal agency a lifeline.

Sponsor of the National Emergency Number Bill 2021, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, said it seeks to make 112 the Emergency Number of Nigeria to enable citizens to have access to quick and timely response to all forms of emergency.

On his part, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, who advocated an independent regulator for the NIPOST bill, equally called for the establishment of one operational emergency communication centre in each state of the federation.

The Bill when passed into law will make 112 a uniform Emergency Number throughout the Country.