Lagos — The Federal Government has earmarked N2 billion for the establishment of a National Emergency Communication Centre in Bauchi State.

Chairman, Senate Committee on Communication, Senator Sylvester Anyanwu, made the disclosure yesterday in Bauchi, when members of the committee visited Governor Isa Yuguda.

Anyanwu said the centre would be designed to provide efficient communication services to the public at emergency periods in the six states of the north-east zone."

The centre will assist people under emergency situations to reach out to the police, fire service, hospitals and otherrelevant agencies without delay," he said, adding that the committee was in the state as part of its nation-wide tour on the on-going rural telephone scheme, introduced to enhance access to communication services in the rural communities."

The project is to give unhindered access to communication facilities to rural dwellers, so that they can relate freely with communities within and around them," Anyanwu said.

He said the committee would also review and assess quality of network provided by GSM service providers in the state.

"We will also undertake an assessment of the quality of network available and identify areas where coverage needs to be strengthen or upgraded," he said, adding that National Communication Commission (NCC) had adopted effective strategies to ensure sustainable improvement in the sector.

Responding, Yuguda announced allocation of 4,500 square metres of land for the project and expressed his administration's readiness to support NCC by providingeffective security to protect its facilities.