NGO Tasks Govt On Functionality Of 112 Toll-free Line

A non-governmental organisation under the auspices of Ladies Empowerment Goals and Support Initiative (LEGASI) in partnership with Peace Direct has tasked the federal government on functionality of 112 toll-free telephone line for emergencies.

The programme manager, LEGASI, Mr Timothy Lawrence made the call in Kaduna yesterday during Early Warning Early Response (EWER) Consultation Meeting with the theme; “Revitalizing Nigeria’s Unified Emergency Numbers.”

Mr Lawrence noted that there is urgent need to reawaken Nigerians on the existence of the emergency toll-free line.

“We want to see if we can reawaken and conscientize Nigerians on the existence of this emergency call number, so that people  can access it when they are in distress in various part of the country,” he said.

He lamented that billions of naira has been invested on the emergency toll-free line and yet the system is barely functional.

“The system is barely functional, all hands must be on deck to ensure functionality of this system, especially those duty bearers, it is their responsibility to respond to emergency in Nigeria, to also ensure that this system is restored,” he added.

He urged Nigerians to make sure that the system works, saying that Nigerians must ensure they utilise the system when functional.

Aisha Lami Lawal from Nigeria Correctional Service, Kaduna Command, said there is need to revive the emergency system to enable security agencies carry out their work effectively.

She also tasked security agencies on synergy to enable them carry out intelligence gathering.

The secretary of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna State chapter, Rev Ma’aji Caleb who was also one of the participants, urged Nigerians to be sincere to each other.

He urged security agencies to always do their work professionally especially during emergency situations in order to reduce crimes to minimal level.