From Maurice Okafor,Enugu.
As part of efforts to curtail drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking in Enugu State, the National Association of Nigerian Drug Monitoring(NANDRUM), Enugu State Chapter, was on Wednesday November 23,inaugurated at Nike lake hotei, Enugu.
The iniative of establishing National Association of Nigerian Drug Monitoring(NANDRUM) by the Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives is to enable the federal government in curbing the menace of drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria, as a measure of restoring sanity in the drug business.
The President of the senate, Dr Ahmed Lawan officially inaugurated the parent body on February 25,2021,sequel to the gradual inauguration of the various state chapters.
In his speech at the inauguration of the Enugu State chapter, the chairman,National Assembly joint committee on drugs and narcotics,cautioned against rising scourge of drug abuse which he said poses great danger to sanity and security of the nation
According to him, NANDRUM will collaborate with other agencies to curb drug abuse among the grass roots especially in the rural areas.
The National Assembly Joint Committee Chairman,who was represented by a staff in his office.Mr Andrew Agbesi,disclosed that the structural and numerical deficiencies in NDLEA(Nigerian drug law enforcement agency) made it imperative that another agency must come on board for the nation to win the war against drug abuse.
His words,”We found out that the NDLEA through the country comprised of only about five thousand staff. we called for doubling of their staff strenght up to ten thousand. Yet that could not satisfy the increasing challenge of drug menace in our country”.
“Therefore the iniative of NANDRUM which incorporates the President Generals of the various communities is taking the fight against drug scourge to every nook and cranny of the country”.
He explained the duties of the President Generals include enlightement and sensitization of residents against drug abuse.illegal traffical as well as reporting offenders to law enforcement agencies.
Governor Ugwuanyi of Enugu state who was represented at the inauguration by one of his special assistant,Mr Chidi Egbogu,assured that the state government will support NANDRUM in the state to succeed in the fight against drug abuse.
The National Orientation Agency(NOA),Enugu State chapter, represented by Mrs Carista Ugwu,promised that the agency will collaborate with NANDRUM in sensitising residents of Enugu state on the hazards of drug abuse and it,s implications.
The high point of the inauguration was the issuing of membership certificates to officials of NANDRUM, Enugu state chapter and the President Generals of the various autonomous communities in Enugu state. Among whom is Hon Kingsley Eze. the President General of Ahani Achi autonomous community, in Oji River local government area.
Hon Eze was also appointed as the Coordinator of all Enugu state PG’s and NANDRUM head of taskforce in Enugu West senatorial district of Enugu state.
