NDLEA, NAFDAC Partnership’ll Curb Drug Abuse, Protect Public Health – Marwa
By Anne Osemekeh, Abuja
The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA) Brig Gen. Mohamed Marwa (Rtd) has said that the renewed partnership between NDLEA and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) will curb substance abuse and protect public health.
Marwa said this during a speech at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NDLEA and NAFDAC at the NDLEA National Headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday 13th November 2024.
Marwa said the development “marks a significant turning point in our shared endeavour to improve operational effectiveness, protect public health, and guarantee community safety”.
According to him, NAFDAC and NDLEA play vital roles in citizens’ health and safety. While the NDLEA focuses on combating illicit drug production, trafficking, and abuse, NAFDAC is responsible for regulating and ensuring the safety of food, drugs, and other consumables.
“Therefore, deepening our collaboration will ensure robust protection for public health and the well-being of our citizens. Our collaboration spans several decades and we are here to strengthen it further today”, he said.
He said the MoU will establish a framework that will enhance the sharing of vital intelligence, facilities, and expertise, which will amplify ability to effectively address the intertwined challenges of drug abuse and counterfeit products.
“As we sign this MoU today, we are taking significant steps towards harnessing our collective strengths. It will align our strategies and resources, making us better equipped to tackle the growing menace of drug abuse and ensure that only safe, approved, and genuine products reach the hands of consumers”, the anti-narcotics czar stated.
He said that the signing ceremony is not just a formal agreement but “a commitment to our collective responsibility to intensify our service delivery. Together, we will work towards creating safer communities, reducing the prevalence of drug abuse, and ensuring that our people have access to safe and high-quality products”.
The NDLEA boss urged everyone to embrace the collaboration with enthusiasm and dedication while stressing the importance of maintaining open lines of communication, sharing of knowledge, and supporting each other in the national assignment.
In her remarks, the Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, who also aligns with the position of the NDLEA Chairman on the significance of the MoU, said that stakeholders cannot afford to work in silos on the issues that border on substance abuse, illicit drug trafficking and public health in Nigeria.
According to her, the scourge of illicit drugs is a matter of our national security as it most times engenders violence, terrorism, banditry, which are the higher levels of societal ills that illicit drugs can result in.
She stressed that sister agencies cannot afford to work in silo in Nigeria, and though it is the culture in most instances, effort is being made to change it to be able to solve problems.
