A bill seeking to establish an institute for drug awareness and rehabilitation has passed second reading at the senate, but not without some opposition.
The bill passed second reading after Hanga
Rufa’i, senator representing Kano central and its sponsor, lead a debate on the
general principles of the legislation.
While leading the debate, Rufa’i said drug
abuse has enabled crime in the country.
“The objective of this bill is to raise
awareness of drug abuse, drug trafficking and the rehabilitation of drug
users,” he said.
But Adams Oshiomhole, senator representing Edo
north, said instead of creating a new institution to achieve the objectives of
the bill, the existing ones like the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency
(NDLEA) should be strengthened.
“I have serious concerns, there is no
disputing the fact that drug abuse has become a national challenge,” the former
Edo governor said.
“As we speak we have NDLEA which not only
prosecutes traffickers, takes care of the garmount of drug abuse. I think what
we have to do is look at the existing law of NDLEA to see how we can strengthen
It.
“But with this idea of setting up agencies for
everything, we will soon have laws against cough.
“We are spending so much on overhead. I’m not
convinced that we need another body to compete with NDLEA.”
Hussaini Uba, senator representing Jigawa
north-west, also supported Oshiomhole’s position.
“Yesterday we were told that everyday new
drugs are imported into Nigeria. I was shaken to my marrow when I was told that
dry human fecal matter is turned to things to get high,” Uba said.
“We can look at the existing institutions to
strengthen the matter.”
However, the bill passed second reading when
it was put to a voice vote by Barau Jibrin, deputy senate president.
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