… As Pantami commissions Imo ECC
The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission NCC, Proffessor Umar Garba Danbatta, says over 1,500 COVID-19-related calls were received and processed through the NCC Emergency Communications Centres (ECCs) in the peak of the pandemic in Nigeria.
He made the remark during the commissioning of the ECC in Owerri, Imo State by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami.
Professor Danbatta explained that during the lockdown occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic, the ECCs played a remarkable role by providing a platform for members of the public to seek lifesaving information and reporting COVID-19 related cases by dialling ‘112’ from any of the networks.
The EVC said the ECC project, equipped with necessary Information Technology (IT) tools and personnel, is a one-stop shop through which members of the public can access help from any response agency, stating that the centre is essentially aimed at enhancing the security of lives and property of the citizens.
He listed the response agencies to include the Nigeria Police (NPF), the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Fire and Ambulance Services, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and all its affiliate State Emergency Management Agencies, among others.
While restating the Commission’s commitment to operationalise the ECCs in all the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Professor Danbatta said 19 ECCs have been activated so far and the beneficiary states include Katsina, Kaduna, Kano, Kwara, Ogun, Plateau, Enugu, Benue, Akwa-Ibom, Cross-River, Oyo, Edo, Ondo, Ekiti, Adamawa, Kogi, Anambra and Imo States and FCT.
Dr Pantammi thanked the State Government for giving the necessary support to the NCC to facilitate successful implementation of the project, which has been bringing succor to the people of Imo State and assured of President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to support more initiatives aimed at achieving the tripartite agenda of the President which focuses on addressing security issues, improving the economy and curbing corruption.
The Minister noted that the country’s economy will reap huge benefits from effective implementation of more Information and Communication Technology (ICT)-driven projects across the country.
The event which was hosted by the Executive Governor of the State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, had in attendance, the Chairman, NCC Board of Commissioners, Prof. Adeolu Akande; NCC Board Member, Chief Uche Onwude; Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mr. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, among other dignitaries.
