Fashola appeals to NCC over 767 emergency response number

The Lagos State Governor Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on has appealed to the Nigerian Communication Commission not to shut down the 767 Emergency number frequency. The telecommunications regulatory body had threatened to shutdown the emergency number saying that it was not inline with its plans to have a single national emergency number. Fashola who spoke at an interactive session with members of the Organized Private Sector to mark his first 400 days in office at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa pleaded that the NCC should have a rethink of its plans to first shut down the operation of the frequency before listening to complaints about a previous commitment on the frequency. In a statement signed by the Senior Special assistant to the governor on media, Mr. Hakeem Bello, the Governor said he discussed the issue with Vice President Jonathan Goodluck on Tuesday in Abuja. He said the availability of the Emergency Response number had helped in rebuilding the confidence of residents of Lagos in the Nigeria Police. The Governor explained that whatever contending issues are there to be discussed could be tackled and discussed between the contending parties while the frequency continues to provide its life saving assistance to the public. He informed that the State Government would soon launch the second phase of the Security Trust Fund and some equipment which have been purchased for the Police. He expressed his appreciation to members of the Organised Private Sector who contributed to the Security Trust Fund, adding that the Nigeria Police is doing a wonderful job in securing the lives of the entire citizenry and that they need every encouragement to continue to do a good job. Governor Fashola reiterated the determination of the government to ensure that law and order take precedence in the state as it would not compromise on the zero tolerance it has for planlessness. He said the State has not placed any embargo on the development of new bank branches but has been insistent that at all areas where such branches would be constructed all town planning laws must be strictly followed. He challenged everyone to ponder over the fact that structures built by the colonialists over a century ago are still standing while those recently constructed by Nigerians are easily giving way, pointing out that it is due to failure to adhere to strict planning codes.