Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug
Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) has expressed
appreciation to the National Assembly especially the Senate and House
Committees on Narcotic Drugs for their commitment to the nation’s fight against
substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking while he appealed for their
continued support to enhance the capacity and capability of the Agency to
deliver on its mandate.
Marwa made the appeal on Monday 13th and Tuesday 14th
January when he led his management team to defend the 2025 budget proposal of
the Agency before the House Committee on Narcotic Drugs and Senate Committee on
Drugs and Narcotics respectively. He equally thanked President Bola Ahmed
Tinubu for his unrelenting encouragement to the NDLEA.
“I wish to first appreciate the honorable chairman,
the deputy chairman, and distinguished members of this esteemed committee for
your invaluable and consistent support throughout the 2024 fiscal year. This
committee, under its able and dynamic chairman, has demonstrated remarkable
courage and commitment towards the war against drug abuse. In particular, your
effort towards the amendment of the NDLE Act is also highly appreciated.
And I respectfully ask your good offices to continue
to assist in our area of critical needs during the appropriation process. Our
commands across the federation are contending with significant challenges,
particularly lack of accommodation.
“I cannot overstate this matter because it all comes
to my desk when you get these reports of attacks on our officers and so on and
so forth, killing personnel and their families. So, we know that we trust that
this esteemed committee will do its best. And we know that there are compelling
demands from other MDAs, but the barracks project is critical to the
operational efficiency and success of NDLEA.
“I must not forget to seize this opportunity to also
appreciate President Bola Tinubu for his continuing support and encouragement
to the agency. I also wish to reaffirm the agency's unwavering commitment to
working collaboratively with the National Assembly, in particular this esteemed
committee, to advance our shared vision of a drug-free Nigeria. With your
support, we are confident in our ability to enhance our operations and fulfill
our mandate of safeguarding the security of our nation”, Marwa stated in his
remarks while pleading for budgetary provision for the ongoing barracks
accommodation for the personnel of the agency to enhance their security,
dedication and performance.
In the budget proposal for 2025 fiscal year, the
agency was allocated Sixty-Seven Billion Five Hundred and Twelve Million Five
Hundred and Sixty-Four Thousand Sixty-Three Naira Eighty Kobo (N67, 512, 564,
063.80), with recurrent personnel cost taking N47, 159,240, 496.80; recurrent
overhead N3, 384,332, 017.00 and capital expenditure N16, 968, 991, 550.00.
He explained that the recurrent personnel cost
reflects the nominal roll of the agency’s staff strength totaling over 14,038
officers, men and women, while the recurrent overhead cost covers the
operational expenses of intelligence gathering, arrests, seizures,
investigations and prosecutions.
The NDLEA boss called for the enhancement of the N16
billion provided for capital expenditure, which has zero allocation for the
ongoing barracks project component to enable the agency continue with the
provision of secure accommodation for its workforce across the country.
Justifying his plea, Marwa said “the agency faces
growing challenges, including sophisticated drug cartels, drug abuse and
inadequate critical infrastructure. To address these issues, NDLEA has embarked
on reforms, including constructing barracks to accommodate its personnel,
improve operational integrity and ensure security. Currently, many commands
operate from rented facilities, which are inadequate for effective
administration. Proper accommodation will enhance staff morale, ensure
security, and strengthen the agency’s capacity to execute its mandate”
In his remarks, House Committee Chairman on Narcotic
Drugs, Hon Abass Adigun assured of their commitment to adequate funding to
enhance NDLEA’s operational successes. “This committee recognizes the critical
role the NDLEA plays in safeguarding our
communities from the scourge of narcotics and illicit
substances. As we engage in
today's deliberations, we remain committed to ensuring
that public funds are
allocated efficiently, with a focus on measurable
outcomes, transparency, and
accountability. I urge all participants to contribute
thoughtfully as we work together to ensure the NDLEA is well-resourced to
fulfill its vital mandate in the new year”, the lawmaker stated.
Speaking in the same vein on Tuesday 14th January 2025, Senate Committee chairman on Drugs and Narcotics, Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo congratulated the agency for its outstanding performance in 2024. “We’re all witnesses to the good work you are doing and we are proud of your performance”, the committee chairman stated, assuring of more support to enable the agency function effectively in the new year.
Comments:
Leave a Reply