By Saul Saidykhan
I just read the statement of the GPF on the latest arm robbery incidents which took place near our northern Senegal border. As usual, the GPF is kind enough to tell people what number to call when they have an emergency.
Except the number they keep providing “9968885” is EIGHT digits! In a majority illiterate/semi-literate country, this defies basic common sense.Emergencies by dint are crunch time when every moment counts. So, the phone number those in need are required to dial to summon help should be as short and easily memorable as possible.
That is why in saner climes, Emergency phone numbers typically consist of only 3 digits. This simplification makes them easy to remember and quick to dial in emergencies. Examples:911 in the United States, Canada, and some other countries.
112 in the European Union and many other countries (also works on GSM networks globally).999 in the United Kingdom and some Commonwealth countries.000 in Australia.110 or 112 in many Asian countries.
In ALL these countries or regions, every 5-year-old knows how to dial the Police, Fire service, or Medical unit in an emergency. The 8-digit number the GPF uses should be quickly discarded for a 3-digit number that most Gambians can utilize when they need help. How does the GPF expect the Gambian majority to remember such a long number?
Finally, this opinion is NOT intended to be used by any official either as an excuse for a new loan or the award of a phony contract to “upgrade” the Emergency system.
In fact, the current number – 9968885 could easily be converted (through the Backend of the relevant Telcos) to 123, 111, or any 3-digit code the GPF chooses as the new national Emergency number.
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