Experts seek resolution of impasse over emergency numbering system
Recent developments have showed that Nigeria needs to quickly implement a harmonised emergency numbering system. JONAH IBOMA captures experts’ views on the matter.
Today, Nigeria remains one of the countries in the world where a uniform number code that can be reached in times of emergencies does not exist.
This is despite the rising incidences requiring the use of such numbers in the country.
Instead of simple three digit numbers, there exists various numbers used by the Nigeria Police, Federal and state fire services and even traffic management agencies for emergencies.
The situation means that in case of emergencies, people often struggle to remember the numbers to contact.
The situation is made worse by the fact that the numbers are not easy to remember as many of them are regular mobile lines with 11 digits.
Globally, this is not the situation as various countries have numbers for emergencies.
Recently, the International Telecommunications Union introduced a new emergency numbering system that allows emergency workers searching for contact information on the next-of-kin of an injured person globally to do so in a recognised way.
Simply prefixing the Arabic numericals , 01, 02, 03, and so on to a nominated contact, such as “01father”, “02wife” or “03husband,” written in any script in the mobile telephone directory, will help emergency workers in any part of the world to identify contacts in order of priority and notify them.
ITU said it would work with the non-profit organisation ICE4SAFETY, to promote this new way of identifying an emergency contact in a mobile handset’s directory.
The new standard, which is a clause to ITU-T Recommendation E.123, internationalises the ICE concept and recommends the use of Arabic numerals (0 to 9) to denote emergency contact numbers in a handset’s directory.
It exploits the fact that even though written scripts differ around the world, these digits are universally recognised, making them usable by anyone regardless of language or script.
Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Standardisation Bureau, Malcolm Johnson, said, “Emergency telecommunications is a top priority for ITU. This simple addition to a person’s next-of-kin or nominated contact details has the potential to greatly reduce stress for overworked emergency workers around the world. Anything that can be done to reduce the workload of these remarkably brave people and assist in getting injured people the right care and attention is commendable. We will work tirelessly with ICE4SAFETY and other agencies to promote this concept.”
The need for Nigeria to have a harmonised emergency code resurfaced again with decision by the Nigerian Communications Commission to stop moves by Lagos State Government to implement its own code.
The state government had started the emergency code, 767, to help in emergencies, after discussions with the major mobile operators.
However, NCC stopped the scheme, claiming that it had not authorised Lagos to embark on such a scheme and subsequently refused to allow operators to use the number on their networks.
Commenting on the development, industry experts noted that the issue should not have been allowed to reach the situation whereby NCC had to shut down the frequency considering its importance.
They opined that it should have been amicably resolved to the benefit of the citizens whose lives and properties were at danger due to the absence of a local emergency number code.
According to a telecom lawyer and Managing Partner, Abraham and Company, Mr. Mena Ajakpovi, NCC should not have stopped the Lagos State Government since it was a move to protect the lives of citizens
Similarly, President, National Association of Telecoms Subscribers, Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo, noted that there might be a great advantage if the NCC allowed the state government initiative to thrive alongside its national emergency code.
He likened the plan by the Lagos State Government to that of the fire service, where both the State and Federal governments have organisations that cater for the same problem.
But experts agreed that the regulatory body should have moved faster than it had done and implement a national harmonised code system.
Plans by NCC to implement a uniform number code for emergencies have been on for years with discussions dating back to 2002, one year after GSM was introduced in Nigeria.
The commission had even employed a special consultant on the scheme, but for some reasons, the regulatory body has not been able to implement a final programme.
Given that Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, has appealed to the regulatory body to have a rethink on the matter and with Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan, also getting involved maybe the matter may soon be resolved soon
Today, Nigeria remains one of the countries in the world where a uniform number code that can be reached in times of emergencies does not exist.
This is despite the rising incidences requiring the use of such numbers in the country.
Instead of simple three digit numbers, there exists various numbers used by the Nigeria Police, Federal and state fire services and even traffic management agencies for emergencies.
The situation means that in case of emergencies, people often struggle to remember the numbers to contact.
The situation is made worse by the fact that the numbers are not easy to remember as many of them are regular mobile lines with 11 digits.
Globally, this is not the situation as various countries have numbers for emergencies.
Recently, the International Telecommunications Union introduced a new emergency numbering system that allows emergency workers searching for contact information on the next-of-kin of an injured person globally to do so in a recognised way.
Simply prefixing the Arabic numericals , 01, 02, 03, and so on to a nominated contact, such as “01father”, “02wife” or “03husband,” written in any script in the mobile telephone directory, will help emergency workers in any part of the world to identify contacts in order of priority and notify them.
ITU said it would work with the non-profit organisation ICE4SAFETY, to promote this new way of identifying an emergency contact in a mobile handset’s directory.
The new standard, which is a clause to ITU-T Recommendation E.123, internationalises the ICE concept and recommends the use of Arabic numerals (0 to 9) to denote emergency contact numbers in a handset’s directory.
It exploits the fact that even though written scripts differ around the world, these digits are universally recognised, making them usable by anyone regardless of language or script.
Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Standardisation Bureau, Malcolm Johnson, said, “Emergency telecommunications is a top priority for ITU. This simple addition to a person’s next-of-kin or nominated contact details has the potential to greatly reduce stress for overworked emergency workers around the world. Anything that can be done to reduce the workload of these remarkably brave people and assist in getting injured people the right care and attention is commendable. We will work tirelessly with ICE4SAFETY and other agencies to promote this concept.”
The need for Nigeria to have a harmonised emergency code resurfaced again with decision by the Nigerian Communications Commission to stop moves by Lagos State Government to implement its own code.
The state government had started the emergency code, 767, to help in emergencies, after discussions with the major mobile operators.
However, NCC stopped the scheme, claiming that it had not authorised Lagos to embark on such a scheme and subsequently refused to allow operators to use the number on their networks.
Commenting on the development, industry experts noted that the issue should not have been allowed to reach the situation whereby NCC had to shut down the frequency considering its importance.
They opined that it should have been amicably resolved to the benefit of the citizens whose lives and properties were at danger due to the absence of a local emergency number code.
According to a telecom lawyer and Managing Partner, Abraham and Company, Mr. Mena Ajakpovi, NCC should not have stopped the Lagos State Government since it was a move to protect the lives of citizens
Similarly, President, National Association of Telecoms Subscribers, Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo, noted that there might be a great advantage if the NCC allowed the state government initiative to thrive alongside its national emergency code.
He likened the plan by the Lagos State Government to that of the fire service, where both the State and Federal governments have organisations that cater for the same problem.
But experts agreed that the regulatory body should have moved faster than it had done and implement a national harmonised code system.
Plans by NCC to implement a uniform number code for emergencies have been on for years with discussions dating back to 2002, one year after GSM was introduced in Nigeria.
The commission had even employed a special consultant on the scheme, but for some reasons, the regulatory body has not been able to implement a final programme.
Given that Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, has appealed to the regulatory body to have a rethink on the matter and with Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan, also getting involved maybe the matter may soon be resolved soon
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