By Gift Chapi Odekina
The Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) yesterday revealed that it has proposed N300billion for barracks across the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for its 10000 perssionnel.
The Chairman of the Agency, Brig-Gen Buba Marwa (rtd), disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja when he appeared before the House Committee on Narcotic Drug and Financial Crime
The Chairman said that the 10000 personnel would soon increase to 15000 because additional 5000 personnel are currently on training.
According to him, the agency had proposed N300billion for that purpose, adding that it had commenced work with some Architects and Consultants to ensure the take off of the project.
He said “we proposed about N300 billion and each will cover the 36 states and the FCT over four years”
He said that the NDLEA had decided that the first phase of the project would first commenced from the six geopolitical zones in the country.
The former military Governor of Lagos State also called for improved funding of the agency to curtail the activities of drug cartel.
He said that drug cartels are becoming wary of the nation’s airports and seme border, adding that they have resorted to using boat to perpetrate their heinous crime.
According to him, there is a need for more arms and ammunition, I cannot mention the number we currently have in the presence of the media.
He urged the committee to consider serious improvement in funding the agency if it desired to arrest the spate of illicit drug in the country, adding that there were still numerous areas for intervention for the effectiveness of NDLEA.
Commenting on the poor state of funding, Marwa said that when he assumed office, he brought his own personal Television to the office because the one on ground was not functioning.
“There are serious funding challenges and tnis is detrimental to our successful operation, because when you don’t fund the agency the personnel’s are expose to temptation,” he said.
The Chairman of the Committee,
Rep. Francis Agbo, however said that it was sure the chairman would bring a turn around to the NDLEA, adding that the committee would ensure that NDLEA is considered as a priority agency.
He noted that the drug situation in the country remained a major threat, and as a people and government, there was need to rise up in support of the war against illicit drug.
He said that the N38.152bn 2022 budget proposal for the agency appeared inadequate considering their work, hence, members of the committee would meet with the Committee on Appropriation to ensure the right are done.
Reacting, Marwa said that attempt are ongoing to move the agency’s budget from the Ministry of Justice to the Presidency so that NDLEA could get direct funding.
