Daily Trust - the online edition

The collaboration of the Lagos State government and premier contact solutions provider, Contact Solutions Limited, has resulted in the launch of the first harmonized emergency number, ‘767’ in the state, just as the police said the launch of the number would help in crime fighting.

The commissioning of the number was done last week by the governor, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) who said the 767 emergency number would go along way in reducing crimes in the state.

Fashola, who together with his Deputy, Mrs. Sarah Sosan and member of his exco listened to a short presentation of how the system works, in his speech, identified lack of adequate communication as one of the challenges facing an efficient security system.

He said it was this realization that made the government determined to design a two-tier communications system that would provide a dedicated interruption free line of communication with relevant security and emergency agencies to enhance their quick response to any actual or pending situation requiring immediate response.

The governor who said the ‘767’ launch was the first in the country, revealed that the second phase which is the launch of the Emergency Response Centre would come later.

Fashola had particularly commended the company for its resilience. In his exact words, the Governor who took eyes off his speech to commend ConSol said, "ConSol has shown the spirit of the enterprise of Lagosians, the Nigerian spirit and the ‘can do’ spirit." The governor also made the point of remarking that ConSol is a fully indigenous company.

Also speaking at the event, the representative of the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Mr. Marvel Akpoyibo (DC) Operations, Lagos State Police Command, said it was sad that police got to crime scenes and disaster areas late because they were unable to access information quickly. He pointed out that "with the launch of the ‘767’, "the encumbrances of ‘no credit’, is eradicated."