Nigeria Gets Toll Free Emergency Number

[Richard Akindele]

Nigeria has moved closer to the rest of the civilized world in the area of entrenching emergency communications structures following the submission of the report of the Ministerial Committee on Emergency Communications and the recommendation of 199 as the enhanced three- digit emergency number for the whole nation.

Barring any last minute adjustments, Nigerians and non-Nigerians resident in the country will be required to dial 199 in moments of distress and expect commensurate response within reasonable time.

Minister of Communications, Chief Cornelius Adebayo disclosed this while receiving the report of the ministerial committee. He noted that throughout the world, every nation has its own unique emergency number designed to enable the citizenry seek the assistance of appropriate agencies in times of distress, recalling that during the colonial days, Nigeria had 911 as its fixed line emergency number while the GSM Association also came up with a three-digit number, 112 with the advent of mobile telecommunications in the country.

This Day.

[Richard Akindele]

Does the Police have vehicles for responding to 199 emergencies, or do they have to walk to the place of emergency?

I don't think Nigeria cares much about its citizen's emergencies for 199 to matter. Aren't we talking about the same country that doesn't give a damn that it's citizenry is starving? I believe the 199 emergency number idea is just a hype to make it look like the nation is doing something.