EU to fund NDLEA’s campaign against drugs

NDLEA boss, Ahmadu Giade

European Union has expressed its readiness to fund campaigns against drug trafficking and other related crimes championed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

The EU said the funding was a necessary step in strengthening regional and international cooperation in the fight against narcotic drugs.

The EU Ambassador, Mr. Michel Arrion, said this on Wednesday during a visit to the agency’s headquarters in Lagos.

He added that a sum of E30m had been earmarked to combat drug abuse in 36 countries.

Arrion said, “At the inter-continental level, the European Union finances a number of projects as part of the Cocaine Route Programme. The Cocaine Route Programme with a budget of over E 30m covers 36 countries of which half are in Africa, essentially West Africa; five in the Caribbean countries and the remaining in Latin and Central America.

“The EU has procured 100 desktop computers for the smooth take-off of a Data Exchange Centre. This will help to establish an evidence-based approach in addressing the challenges of illicit drugs in Nigeria.”

The representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in Nigeria, Ms Mariam Sissoko, said her office was committed to providing technical support to the agency in tackling drug menace.

She said, “We are working with the NDLEA to assist the agency progress towards an intelligence-led organisation equipped to deal with the challenges of the ever changing drug industry.”

The NDLEA Chairman, Mr. Ahmadu Giade, said regional and international cooperation was vital to global success in narcotic control.

He added that drug trafficking posed threat to global peace and security.

“Drug trafficking, like terrorism and arms smuggling, represents a growing threat to global peace and security.

“Many lives are being lost on a daily basis around the world. Activities of drug cartels have turned the world into a global village thus making international partnership among drug law officers, donors and international institutions inevitable,” he said.

Giade stated further that the EU project in Nigeria and West Africa would enhance technical and operational capacities in frontline agencies and promote targeted interventions on drugs and organised related crimes in the country.

“It will also help to manage drug abuse counseling, drug treatment and rehabilitation through the creation of a reliable network of quality drug treatment service providers,” he added.

PUNCH