FG Signs Executive Order To Promote Transparency, Efficiency

…Mandates MDAs to adopt openness in contracting procedures and publishing of contracts

The Federal Government has revealed that it would in a matter of weeks sign an executive order in promote transparency and efficiency for the creation of an enabling business environment in the country, saying this would mandate all Ministry, Agencies and Departments (MDAS) to adopt openness in contracting procedures and publishing of contracts.

Comrade Salihu Othman Isah, Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN hinted in a press statement issued over the weekend, that the Minister also read a riot act on treasury looters threatening any culprit with prosecution.

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Isah said Malami, made this disclosure last Friday while briefing journalists on the thematic areas of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) and what government had accomplished so far; having joined the (OGP) initiative in July, 2016 as the 70th nation.

The AGF emphasized that Nigeria participation in the Open Government Partnership would enhance the ease of doing business in Nigeria and also provide opportunities for information sharing and cross fertilization of ideas with countries facing similar challenges like us.

He assured of collaboration with OGP implementing countries to ensure that all illicit funds in foreign banks are repatriated. “We will work with the network of OGP implementing countries for technical support especially in repatriating our stolen funds that are currently stashed away abroad”.

He maintained Nigeria’s resolve to join the OGP initiative was strategic as its principles fit into the existing efforts of the present administration towards ensuring that all conduit pipes through which public funds are misappropriated are permanently blocked.

The Minister further surmised that with these renewed vigour in fighting corruption, any person caught pilfering public funds shall be made to face the wrath of the law.

He also assured that “the FGN will continue to pursue reform programmes on transparency and accountability through targeted measures in promoting fiscal transparency, improved public procurement and open contracting, access to information, asset disclosure, citizen engagement and empowerment”.

The AGF equally noted that the ongoing journey from openness to national prosperity is yielding result in the following areas: Treasury Single Account (TSA) as well as the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) had streamlined government revenue collection and expenditure which had saved the country billions of naira in the last one year.

He also enumerated that the Freedom of Information Unit in the Federal Ministry of Justice had been strengthened to provide timely information to the public and relevant policy feedback in compliance with FOI Act.

Malami equally hinted that the Bureau of Public Service Reform (BPSR) had adopted a unique electronic FOI platform on its website that gives real time information to citizens which smacks voluntary disclosure and currently working to improve on transparent and competitive public procurement in line with global open contracting principles through e-procurement.

On its part, the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) had adopted the open contracting standards in its operations and it is one of the first government agency to do so; stressing that the other agency of government where the openness initiative had worked is Code of Conduct Bureau.

According to him, the CCB has been able to implement its mandate of ensuring that public officers declare their assets promptly and that such assets are verified and recorded in accordance with the law.

Malami further disclosed that appreciable success was also recorded in the banking sector , the enforcement of Bank Verification Number (BVN) scheme reduced fraudulent practices by dubious individuals to protect law abiding customers and restore confidence in our banking industry, thus making it possible to trail money, among others.

The AGF used the occasion of the media roundtable to inform the press about the forthcoming National Consultative Retreat of all stakeholders in the OGP process in Nigeria including civil society, professional associations, development partners as well as the organized private sector to make inputs into the design of our National OGP Action plan in Kaduna between 24th and 26th of October, 2016.

Present at the media roundtable were representative of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Engr. Babachir Lawal, Honourable Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Chief Ekpo Nta, Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu and the Director General, Bureau for Public Service Reforms, Dr. Joe Abah among other dignitaries.

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Edo poll: PDP Allegation Of Rigging Mere Ranting Of Losers, PDP Dead In Edo - Buhari's Media Aide

The initiator and leader of the Edo Shall Rise Again (ESRA) movement, Comrade Salihu Othman Isah has described those alleging that the recently conducted governorship election in Edo state was rigged as clowns who are inconsequential, and wanting to hold on to anything to discredit the September 28 gubernatorial exercise to justify their failure.

Edo state-born Comrade Isah, who is the Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami insisted that the exercise was free, fair and devoid of violence, rating the exercise as one of the best organized elections in the country.

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Comrade Isah reiterated his earlier call that Muslims in the state should be adequately carried along in appointments by the Obaseki administration, especially at the highest level of governance, especially with their contribution in ensuring the recent victory.

He said the election which had agents of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at every point of the exercise cannot be said to have been flawed, stressing instead that it met global standard.

According to the Edo North born politician, actor and human rights activist, the people of the state have spoken by voting the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Mr. Godwin Obaseki as their governor-elect having rated him as the best choice in the process.

He declared that an election which involved about 19 political parties fielding candidates and every one of them endorsing the choice, except one, the PDP which out of sheer desperation have chosen to discredit the process; and so should and cannot be taken seriously.

Isah is also of the opinion that it is now apparent that PDP have met its waterloo and is dead and buried in Edo state having serially lost to the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) twice in the past and now the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He advised the PDP candidate, Pastor Osaze Ize-Iyamu to desist from further rubbishing his political career and to reserve his strength for the 2020 election since he has become a serial gubernatorial aspirant, instead of dissipating his energy in a legal process to claim his alleged mandate that is bound to be fruitless.

The erstwhile two-time chairman, North West zone of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) and National Vice President, Actors Guild of Nigeria (North West) however advised the governor-elect to extend an olive branch to any political party that is willing to collaborate with his forthcoming administration to bring the state forward, pointing out that this includes the PDP if it is willing to.

“It is my candid belief that elections are now over and the business of moving Edo state forward should now take the front burner. The outgoing governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has done his best, and his huge legacy needs to be built upon. So, there is serious business ahead.

“The good is that the people of the state have spoken and this they have done with a loud voice by investing their fortune on the pair of Mr. Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki and Hon. Phillip Shuaibu to steer the ship of state for the next four years.

“And painfully though, for those that have lost the election, of course; tomorrow is another day. There are many more governorship polls to be contested in the state in future. For now, the contest has been won and lost. I believe that for those sensible Edolites, the new challenge should be what development strides should be attracted to their constituencies.

Therefore, all hand must be on deck to face the new challenge so that Edo state should be better for it. We must take a cue from Lagos state who usually votes for continuity. Let me also use this opportunity to thank all Edo sons and daughters and citizens of other communities resident in Edo state who have been part of the violent-free electoral process on September 28 till date for a job welldone.

I want to particularly extend my gratitude to the Hausa/Fulani, Nupe and Ebira indigenes resident in the state for voting overwhelmingly for the Obaseki/ Shuaibu ticket. It is my candid opinion that they are the best pair Edo can wish for now.”

Amendments In Justice Sector Policy Underway

The Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr. Taiwo Abidogun has stressed the need to harmonize and integrate the various reform initiatives in the justice sector into a clearly articulated National Justice Policy.

Abidogun who represented the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN revealed this in a speech he delivered during the inauguration ceremony of the technical committee that will produce a draft National Justice Sector Policy for the country in Abuja last Thursday.

Comrade Salihu Othman Isah, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the AGF and Minister of Justice disclosed in a press statement made available to the media in Abuja over the weekend.

Isah quoted the SGF as saying that, “The policy would clearly define Nigeria Political Philosophy with respect to Justice Delivery and also provide a common policy direction for the Justice Sector stakeholders across the Nation”.

The draft policy would be presented at the stakeholder’s forum to be convened in October for inputs before being submitted for validation and adoption at the proposed National Summit on Administration of Justice in furtherance of rule of Law in Nigeria to hold in a date in November 2016’’.

He listed members of the technical committee which includes renowned experts in the public and private sector as well as the academia has the following terms of reference:

(a) To draft and submit a National policy on Justice for Nigeria that sets out a common vision of a fair and effective justice system that respects the rights of all without discrimination.

(b) Undertake a review of past and present strategic framework for the justice sector in Nigeria, taking into account the funder mental objectives and directive principles of state policy that are laid down in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in sofar as they relate to the Justice system.

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(c) To present the approved draft at a consultative meeting aimed at seeking commitment, further input and buy-in from a wider body of justice stakeholders.

(d) To present the revised draft to a National Justice Sector summit in November with a view to adopting as Nigeria National Justice Policy etc.

Members of the committee includes; Prof. Mohammed Tabiu as chairman,

Kefas Magaji, Prof Deji Adekunle, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, P.C Okorie, Mohammed Estu, Stella Anukam, E.O Omonowa, Dayo Akpata while Felix Ota-Okojie will serve as Secretary.

Also in the technical committee are Associate Prof. Larry Chukwu, Gbolahan Adeniran,                                                  

Beatrice Jeddy-Agba, Juliet Ibekaku, Pius Oteh, Ike Udunni and Ugonna Ezekwem.

The committee was given Friday,14th October 2016 to come up with the draft copy to midwife the expected Nigeria National Justice Policy.

Edo guber poll: Why Muslims’ll vote for Obaseki - Salihu Isah ...Canvasses a Muslim Chief of Staff

A top chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and human rights activist, Comrade Salihu Othman Isah has revealed that the APC gubernatorial candidate in the September 10 election, Mr. Godwin Obaseki would be a Muslim-friendly governor if elected into office. 

Isah, a fiery journalist and astute politician who is now serving as the Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN) enjoins all Muslims to cast their votes for the Godwin Obaseki/Phillip Shuaibu joint ticket on the platform of APC.

The Edo state born politician however debunked the ongoing widespread insinuations that Mr. Obaseki’s regime will Islamise the state, describing those behind such wicked and baseless allegation as fantastically failing politicians who would introduce any weapon, including such imperious blackmail in order to win elections.

He equally advised the All Peoples Congress (APC) to involve Muslims in the state at top level as it the campaign enters its critical stage of the door-to-door unit campaign if his desire is to easily triumph over his opponents at the poll.

Isah recalled that previous administrations in the state have not adequately carried Edo state Muslims along in the scheme of things, especially in the allocation of the dividends of democracy, especially appointments at federal and state levels. 

Also an actor and immediate past (erstwhile) National Vice President, Actors Guild of Nigeria (North West zone), Isah popularly known as Hotman believes for the sake of balancing a Muslim should be appointed as Chief of Staff to the next government since we have a Christian governor, deputy governor, Speaker of the House of Assembly, SSG and HoS.

According to him, the fact that the APC candidate want to ensure an equitable leadership which will benefit the Muslim Ummah should not and must not be interpreted to mean Islamising Edo state, where Christians dominate the population. 

“It is baseless and wicked blackmail for anyone to think or come up with such spurious allegation as to anyone for that matter attempting to Islamising Edo state where Christians have controlled and still control the population. Besides, Nigeria is secular state and the constitution allows for multiple religions. 

The Nigerian constitution guarantees right to religion and right to association as well as right to expression and agitation and as such Muslims in Edo state will continue to clamour for even distribution of our commonwealth. Anything short of this is unacceptable. 

“So, those who have decided to introduce this new dimension of dangerous politicking, this politics of propaganda into Edo state, taking their stupid and unscrupulous directionless campaign to this level are only bereft of ideas and having seen the handwriting of defeat staring at them on the wall, simply chose this path of blackmail. The idea is simply to weep up Christian sentiments against Obaseki because the Muslims have chosen to vote enmass for the APC ticket. 

“Personally, I have been campaigning and mobilising the Hausa/Fulani, Nupe, Igala and Ebira Muslim voters for Godwin Obaseki/Phillip Shuaibu ticket. First and foremost, due to the fact that it is the surest ticket for progress and development of the state, then for me because Muslims stand to gain a lot from the unique leadership they will introduce. 

“I believe Obaseki will make the right adjustment by giving Islamic faithfuls a sense of belonging by righting the wrongs in the past. It will not be asking for too much as equal stakeholders in the process of fostering a statehood, making Edo state stand its own in the comity of states in the country.”

Come to think of it! Is it not crazy for anyone to believe a Christian/Christian ticket would turn around to introduce Shariah or Islamise the state? Whose agenda would they be serving? And what would they want to achieve by doing that? I beg e, the blackmailers should be more ingenious in their dirty game. 

Isah went on to opined that a situation where the Christians adopt a Winner-takes-All in the past when appointments are being made into the state executive council and boards of parastatals and institutions at both the state as well as the state representatives at the federal levels should be discarded.

“In Obaseki, we would have a Muslim-friendly governor, no doubt. But Islamising the state under whatever guise, count him or the APC out it. Currently, some of his best friends and associates are Muslims, including the current richest man in Africa, Aliko Dangote. They were together at the stock market (Nigeria Stock Exchange). These are part of the reason his leadership will favour Muslims. So, I implore all Islamic adherents to vote the Obaseki/Shuaibu ticket come Saturday. 

“The five pillars of Islam are the Shahada (Faith), Salat (Prayer), Zakat (Charity), Saum (Fasting) and Hajj (Pilgrimage to Mecca). These are the five tenets on which Islam is built. But if because he observes some of the Islamic dictates, they say he is a Muslim who wants to introduce Islamisation to the state, so be it. 

But the electorate should be forewarned before they are hoodwinked, because when some politicians of certain hue are bereft of ideas, to them anything goes”, the ex-chairman of Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), North West zone cautioned.

“So, to me Obaseki is a ‘Muslim’ because he adheres religiously to a part of Islamic dictates such as Zakat (Charity) and Saum (Fasting). Obviously, he observes Salat (Prayers) as well in his own ways. Therefore, he might not be a practising Muslim since he does not observe or complete the five pillars of the religion viz; five daily prayers, he has not observed the holy pilgrimage to Mecca, but he performs zakat, which is caring for the needy, as encouraged by the holy books.

I believe, and indeed sure that Obaseki at the helms of affairs in Edo state would be the best thing to happen to the followers of the Islamic religion, in terms of empowering the Muslim youths and women....

He will also guarantee a more conducive environment for Islam to thrive, allowing adherents free practice of their faith as enshrined in the nation’s constitution. 

Obaseki might not be a practicing Muslim; he however adheres to the Islamic principles of faith in his relationship with the Muslim Ummah especially in Nigeria and specifically in Edo state. He believes in the tenets of Islamic and so deserves the votes of Muslims in the September 10 election so he can take the state to the next level from which the Muslim Ummah would benefit greatly. 

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FG Marks World Day Against Trafficking In Persons

The Federal Government will today (29th July) commemorate this year’s International World Day Against Trafficking in Persons which comes up 30th July every year.

Comrade Salihu Othman Isah, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN unveiled in a press statement made available in Abuja yesterday (28th July).

The AGF’s spokesman hinted that the Federal Ministry of Justice is partnering with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and other stakeholders to mark the day with the theme.

He revealed that the theme of the event is “Lured into Modern Slavery-Transnational Crime” which is meant to raise awareness on the plight of victims of human trafficking, the prosecution of offenders, promotion and protection of victims’ right.

“The aforementioned event as you may be aware is a global event marked on the 30th July every year. Since 30th of July this year will be a weekend it has been agreed that the commemoration be shifted to the 29th of July, 2016 at the Federal Ministry of Justice.

“In commemorating the World Day against Trafficking in Persons on the 29th of July 2016, the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation, the Honourable Minister of Interior, Acting Director General, NAPTIP and other stakeholders will deliver keynote addresses, after which all participants will embark on a sensitization walk from the Federal Ministry of Justice to the Federal Secretariat Complex”, Isah concluded.

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Body of Attorneys Generals Meet Today

The nation’s Body of Attorneys General will meet today (Thursday 28th July) to deliberate on the National Policy on Prosecution in the country, just as the stakeholders meeting on the implementation of the outcome of the recently concluded London Summit on Anti-Corruption and the Open Government Partnership are expected to be hosted simultaneously by the Federal Ministry of Justice in Abuja.

Making this public is Comrade Salihu Othman Isah, the Special Adviser to the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN in a press statement made available to newsmen Wednesday in Abuja.

Isah disclosed that the Body of Attorneys General meeting is expected to consider and adopt the draft National Policy on Prosecution, Code of Conduct ad Guidelines for Prosecutors.

According to the AGF’s media aide, “The policy documents have been considered and approved for submission to the Body of Attorneys General by the Solicitors General and Permanent Secretaries Forum at their meeting held on the 15th October, 2015.

“The National Policy on Prosecution is intended for all officials and agencies involved in prosecution of crime management, evidence gathering and investigation.

“It identifies and articulates best practices, capacity improvement and incentives to enhance the productivity of prosecutors. It also addresses the needs and expectations of prosecutors in the Ministries of Justice, specialized prosecuting agencies and private legal practitioners occasionally involved in prosecution”, the statement revealed.

Similarly, the two-day stakeholders meeting on the implementation of the outcome of the London Anti-Corruption Summit and the Open Government Partnership will begin this morning (Thursday 28th July) in Abuja.

The meeting is expected to articulate the nation’s progress so far since President Muhammadu Buhari presented the Country Statement on actions that would be implemented by the government of Nigeria on anti-corruption reform.

“Subsequent to this, Nigeria also submitted a letter of intent to join the Open Government 

Partnership (OGP) to the OGP Secretariat through the Office of thee Attorney General of the Federation.

The Open Government Partnership (OGP) is an international multi-stakeholder initiative focused on improving government’s transparency, accountability and responsiveness to citizens.

‘’The OGP provides a policymaking platform that brings together government and civil society champions of reform to make governments more effective and credible through greater openness.”

Isah explained that, it is the Buhari administration’s position that commitment to the promotion of Open Government in Nigeria would resonate strongly with the message of ‘change’ that the new government represents.

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BREAKING: AGF Breaks Silence On Abia State Guber Conundrum; Gives Fresh Order, Distance Self

Angered at rumours making the round that he is behind the legal logjam at the Abia State of the governorship seat, the Minister of Justice and the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr Abubakar Malami has ordered both parties involved to awaits the decision of the court.

Mr. Malami through in a statement issues and signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. COMRADE SALIHU OTHMAN ISAH, express his dissatisfaction for dragging him to the Abia State conundrum.

 He particular accused some session of the media for supporting and helping peddle what he described as " the insinuations and crass lies".

He statement read:

"The attention of the Office of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has been drawn to the insinuations and crass lies being peddled and disseminated by a cross-section of Nigerians and the various media platforms that the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation is behind the legal logjam over the Abia state governorship seat and wish to clarify that those canvassing this position have no basis to do so."

"Of particular concern are those who have peddled ill-natured rumours with a view to misinform our discerning populace that the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and by extension, the Federal Government of Nigeria that gave directives to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue Certificate of Return to Dr. Uchechukwu Ogah declaring him Governor-Elect. He has definitely not taken any action either by spoken words or body language as far as this Abia governorship crisis is concerned."

"I wish to therefore, on behalf of my principal declare that these rumours are untrue and a figment of the imagination of those pushing these selfish, shameless and irredeemable lies into public space which only translates to partisanship on the side of its purveyors."

"As far as the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation is concerned, the constitutional powers for the legal opinion of his office have not been invoked on this issue. So far, nobody has approached him to proffer any legal opinion to it. As a strong believer in the rule of law, it is his belief that the law should naturally take its cause. The Honourable Attorney General of the Federation will not be dragged into this controversy and mind-games being played out by the various legal minds and spin doctors of both camps at this point." 

"The parties involved should await the decision of the courts." 

"In fact, we wish to by this statement advice those in the habit of dragging the highly esteemed Office of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice into knotty issue of this kind even when it is yet to take a position. They should desist from these unwarranted presumptions henceforth." 

Mr. Ogah had challenged the emergence of the state governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, as the winner of the Peoples Democratic Party’s ticket in the gubernatorial primaries held in December 2014.

Mr. Ogah said Mr. Ikpeazu had defaulted on his taxes, adding that he submitted fraudulent tax documents to qualify as a candidate in the primaries.

In a verdict delivered by Abang Okon, the FHC in Abuja found Mr. Ikpeazu guilty of the charges and ordered INEC to issue a certificate of return to Mr. Ogah to pave way for his swearing-in.

Mr. Ikpeazu appealed the judgment and notified INEC of the development.

But the electoral umpire went ahead to execute the order of the court, saying it never received any notice of appeal from Mr. Ikpeazu.

Soon as he was in receipt of his certificate of return, Mr. Ogah embarked on a journey to Umuahia, the state capital, to prepare grounds for his swearing-in on Friday.

But while on his way, Mr. Ogah received notifications that Mr. Ikpeazu had secured an injunction from an Abia State high court stopping the Chief Judge of the State, the President of the Customary Court of Appeal and any other judicial officer from swearing in Mr. Ogah as governor.

Mr. Ikpeazu also declared a public holiday for Friday and Monday. Tuesday and Wednesday had already been declared public holidays by the federal government.

Mr. Ogah’s efforts to get sworn-in as governor on Friday morning was thwarted by the absence of the state’s Chief Judge, Theresa Uzoukwu.

Also on Friday morning, INEC finally acknowleged it is in possession of a notice of appeal from Mr. Ikpeazu, but said it did not include a notice of stay-of-execution order from the court.

The uncertainties prompted the police to intensify security activities across the state, its spokesperson said.

Don Awunah, the newly-appointed Force Public Relations Officer, said the police were on the ground to ensure that a peaceful atmosphere is maintained.

NDLEA will be better funded in 2017 budget, AGF assures …Charges NASS to legislate for a drug free Nigeria

The Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami, SAN has expressed the need for better funding of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for better service delivery of the Agency, assuring that his Ministry would ensure adequate allocation to it in the 2017 budget.

Comrade Salihu Othman Isah, Special Adviser to the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice on Media and Publicity revealed this in a statement issued to the media in Abuja over the weekend, saying the Minister also assured the Committee that his Ministry would have make a special case for the Agency as well as including it in the supplementary budget before the 2017 budget presentation.

Isah disclosed that Malami gave the assurance when he received in audience last Thursday, members of the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Drugs and Narcotics led by Senator Joshua Lidani (chairman, Senate Committee on Narcotics) and Honourable Azodo Eucharia (chairman, House Committee on Narcotics) who were accompanied by the Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), retired Col. Mustapha Mohammed Abdallah.

Malami, represented by the Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr. Taiwo Abidogun also appealed to the National Assembly to guarantee necessary legislations that will engender a drug free nation.

The Minister observed that adequate funding is fundamental and strategic for effective performance by the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) especially NDLEA, which he described as an institution charged with the onerous responsibility of combating the drug menace nationwide.

Malami who expressed delight with the manner of presentations and contributions by the legislators, lamented that the normal trend in the country was for allocations to be approved on the basis of funds rather than on the needs of the nation as articulated by the MDAs.

He pledged to do his best to ensure that the areas that need to be improved upon in the Agency for optimal performance are met, regretting that at some point there was a disconnect.

Speaking earlier, Senate Committee Chairman on Drugs and Narcotics, Senator Joshua Lidani expressed the fact that the NDLEA was in dire need of greater funding to enable it function optimally and to deliver on their constitutional mandate to confront the drug menace.

He described as worrisome the high level of drug trafficking in the country and the inadequacies of the Agency to confront the scourge adequately as a result of shortfall in manpower and transportation especially operational vehicles, boats and aircrafts.

According to him, when the joint Committee approached the Head of Service to request for staff increase for the Agency, they were told there is no cash backing to employ additional staff, saying that while the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC) got approval to recruit 7,000 staff recently, just like some other para-military outfits, the NDLEA was left out.

Also speaking, Honourable Azodo Eucharia, chairman, House Committee on Narcotics lamented that the Agency currently have 4,900 officials to cover the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, also describing as disheartening a situation where NDLEA officials go to effect arrest drug peddlers with motorcycles popularly called Okada.

‘’If you share this figure among the 36 states and the 774 Local Government Areas in the country, it is nothing to write home about’’, adding that the rate at which married women are consuming drugs was appalling.

She revealed that only N114 million was appropriated to NDLEA as capital expenditure in the 2016 budget with a paltry allocation of N100,000 to each State Command monthly to defray operational cost which she described as grossly inadequate.

Other committee members who spoke such as Honourable Iboro Ekanem reiterated further that the Agency was under funded, under staffed with dilapidated building virtually in all the state commands, lack operational vehicles and requiring capacity building through training and retraining.

 “National Drug Law Enforcement Agency is presently having staff strength of about 4,900 to police 36 states and FCT including 774 local councils in the country, allocates N100,000 to each state command monthly to defray operational cost which is grossly inadequate. Regrettably, only N114 million was appropriated to NDLEA as capital expenditure in 2016 budget”, he reaffirmed.

Chairman of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Col. Muhammed Mustapha Abdallah (retd) while speaking, noted that the Agency he inherited from his predecessor needed to be transformed in terms of human and material resources to enable him and his men meet up to their expectations.

Immediate past NDLEA Chairman, who is currently the Special Assistant to the Attorney General of the Federation on Narcotics and Psychotropic Drugs, Alhaji Aminu Giade also lent support to the trend that the Agency is under staffed.

The Agency ex-boss said for NDLEA to carry out its statutory functions effectively nationwide about 20,000 staffs are required and also advocated for training and re training of staffs of the Agency to be able to grapple with the antics and tactics of the dare devil drug barons and others in the ring.

He lamented that it was only the early recruits of the Agency that were trained but has not benefited from follow up training due to lack of funds before his exit.