Bill On Single Toll-Free National Emergency Number Scales 2nd Reading
A bill seeking to create a single toll-free national emergency number for all Nigerians has scaled second reading in the Senate.
The proposed legislation which was sponsored by Senator Abdulaziz Yar’adua (APC, Katsina Central) aims to establish 112 or any other three-digit code adopted during the public hearing as the unified emergency line accessible nationwide.
Presenting the bill Senator Yar’adua said a single emergency number would eliminate the current confusing multiplicity of hotlines operated by different agencies across states.
He noted that a unified number would provide a fast reliable point of contact for reporting emergencies such as road crashes, fire incidents, burglary, medical crises, domestic violence, and other life-threatening situations.
Yar’adua explained that globally, emergency numbers are deliberately kept at three digits for easy memorization and quick dial.
The new bill proposes that all calls and SMS to the national number be routed to the nearest control room or public safety answering point for immediate action.
The lawmaker emphasised that a unified system would be beneficial to Nigerians in remote or underserved areas.
The bill has subsequently been referred to the Senate Committee on Communications to report back within four weeks.
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