..........European Commission Seeks More
Funding For Enforcement Agencies
Governments in the West African Sub-Region have been advised to increase funding for hard drug control.
Only through this and the political will to deal with the barons can the drug trafficking syndicates operating in the region can be dismantled.
The advise was given by a team from the European Commission(EC) headed by Mr Serge Rinkel during a visit to the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency(NDLEA) in Abuja,Ahmadu Giade yesterday.
The head of the delegation Mr. Serge Rinkel expressed the willingness of the EC to assist the country in specific areas of need to advance drug control programmes.
The EC team on assessment tour of drug control formations in the country also demanded control and monitoring of scanning machines at the seaports by anti-narcotic agents.
The team noted that though the country’s counter narcotic efforts are yielding positive results in terms of arrests and seizures, much still needs to be done in the area of funding and capacity building on long term and conspiracy investigation.
The meeting which was attended by NDLEA directors, representatives of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (USDEA), German police and Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) of Britain also canvassed for maritime anti-drug surveillance by NDLEA.
According to Serge, “we are impressed with the counter narcotic efforts of Nigeria. NDLEA remains the best anti-drug Agency in the region. Our mandate is to discuss vital operational needs that will further empower the Agency.
Drug trafficking, money laundering, violence and terrorist financing deserve strict attention. Our desire is to see the dismantling of drug trafficking syndicates in the sub-region”.
He noted that funding is very crucial because illicit drug trade is capital intensive. Mr. Serge assured that the team’s mission is on the EC priority list and that issues of need shall be attended to speedily.
NDLEA Chairman who thanked the EC team for the visit pledged the country’s preparedness to collaborate with stakeholders towards the realisation of a drug free society.
“Nigerian government is conscious of the consequences of drug trafficking and is willing to partner with other countries in the drug war and other forms of organised crime. We shall continue to restructure existing framework in the pursuit of a drug free society. Nigeria will sustain its leading role in global drug control programmes” Giade stated.
They also canvassed for a synergy among law enforcement agencies in the country with the maintenance of a common data bank.
This will help in the investigation of criminal cases and also enhance rapid response in the exchange of intelligence. Members of the EC team include Silvio Ciappi an Italian criminologist and expert on organised crime and Ghanaian Benjamin Ndego, a specialist in crime prevention and monitoring.
The team will visit some of the Agency’s formations particularly the airports, seaports and land borders. Their assessment also includes the extent of cannabis cultivation in the country which they have described as the greatest drug problem in Nigeria.
Latter in the month the team will meet with stakeholders in Abuja where arrangements shall be concluded on agreements reached at the visit.
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