NCC Enhances Emergency Communications Centres with Computer Aided Dispatch

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is committed to ensuring the promptness, effectiveness, and efficiency of emergency call services provided by the Emergency Communication Centres (ECC). In line with this vision and strategy, the NCC has begun deploying a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) solution.

This initiative to strengthen the capacity of emergency response agencies comes shortly after the activation of the Taraba State ECC, bringing the total number of operational ECCs in the country to 25.

The Taraba ECC joins the existing ECCs in 23 states across the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). These ECCs are located in various states, including Adamawa, Imo, Enugu, Ondo, Oyo, Kwara, Plateau, Ogun, Kano, Katsina, Ekiti, Cross River, and Edo. Additionally, ECCs are operational in Kaduna, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Benue, Kogi, Bauchi, Osun, Zamfara, Kebbi, and Gombe States.

In order to modernize the ECCs further, the NCC has introduced the deployment of CAD for response agencies. The Commission has already deployed the CAD system to the commands of six response agencies, namely the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), States Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), as well as Ambulance and Fire Service operations in seven states.

The CAD equipment has been deployed in Ogun, Cross River, Enugu, Kwara, Kano, Adamawa, and the FCT. This upgrade has transformed and enhanced their ECCs into an Internet protocol-based facility. The NCC plans to upgrade the remaining operational ECCs in the near future.

On March 9, 2022, the NCC successfully conducted trial calls to test the effective implementation of the CAD system for the Ambulance Service in Abuja, FCT. This trial was carried out as part of the recently-launched National Emergency Medical Services & Ambulance Systems (NEMSAS) by the Federal Ministry of Health.

Commenting on the CAD deployment, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of NCC, emphasized the Commission’s commitment to continuously modernize the ECCs to maintain their effectiveness and responsiveness to the evolving dynamics of emergency cases. He stated that the objective of the NCC is to enhance the security of lives and property in the country.

“Over the years, the Centres have transformed lives and helped many citizens survive emergencies and other life-threatening circumstances by promptly dispatching emergency calls to the appropriate Emergency Response Agencies (ERAs). This intervention has had a profoundly positive impact on the lives of Nigerians,” said Danbatta.

The CAD system is an automated dispatch software solution that enables seamless transmission of calls from the ECC to the relevant ERAs with the click of a button on the Call Agent’s System.

The NCC initiated the ECC project in 2005, following a directive from the Federal Executive Council. Establishing and ensuring the effective operation of the ECCs nationwide has been a priority for the Commission in accordance with Sections 107 (3) A and B of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCA) 2003.

ncc.gov.ng