The Federal Government has announced plans to work with state governors and emergency response agencies to conclude arrangements for the nationwide implementation of 112 as Nigeria’s unified emergency telephone number.

According to The PUNCH, this was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha.

According to the statement, the decision followed a meeting between the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, and a delegation from the Nigerian Communications Commission led by the Chairman of its Governing Board, Chief Idris Ibikunle Olorunnimbe, at the Presidential Villa on Tuesday.

The statement noted that the engagement came shortly after the National Economic Council, chaired by the Vice President, approved the adoption of 112 as the country’s single emergency number for all tiers of government and relevant agencies.

The initiative is aimed at creating a coordinated national emergency response system.

During the meeting, Shettima directed the NCC to prepare a roadmap for rolling out the project and to collaborate with the National Emergency Management Agency to improve emergency response coordination across the country.

“He assured the delegation that the project would be sustained, noting that the required funding would be mobilised through the National Economic Council and the private sector.”

“The Vice President also called for high-level engagement and commitment from emergency responders to drive the successful implementation of the 112 initiative,” the statement read.

Speaking earlier, Olorunnimbe revealed that the NCC has already established about 35 Emergency Communications Centres nationwide, stressing the need for stronger support from state governments and emergency management agencies to ensure the centres remain functional.

He emphasised that state governors, the Nigeria Police Force, ambulance services and NEMA must collaborate effectively to guarantee that people facing emergencies receive timely assistance.

“Everyone is expected to buy into this initiative and recognise its importance. It is a patriotic duty to our country to ensure that anyone in distress can get the help they need in a very swift manner,” he added.