Agba says illicit drug use impacts negatively on security, public health, economic well being of the nation

The negative impact of illicit drug use on public health, the future of youths and national security cannot be over emphasised, according to Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Ikanade Agba.

Agba stated this at the final Project Management Committee (PMC) meeting and closure event of European Union Response to Drugs and Related Organised Crime in Nigeria, on Monday, in Abuja.

He maintained that the negative consequences of illicit drug use “pose a serious threat to economic growth and business productivity.”

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The minister explained that efforts geared towards tackling drug abuse were invariably steps in the direction of national development.

In his opening remarks, Agba stressed that the project had provided an avenue for the UNODC to support Nigerian partners in developing evidence-based policies and in improving legislation and coordination in pursuit of a balanced approach to drug control, with equal emphasis being provided to drug demand reduction and to supply suppression.

The event marked 10 years of the EU-UNODC-Nigeria partnership on drug control in Nigeria.

The minister said the emphasis of the project had been on the intersection between drugs and organised crime, in line with relevant international conventions and adopting a balanced, human-rights-based approach rooted in international best practice.

He said that the project also contributed to improving law enforcement and regulatory capacity in drug control and in tackling organised drug-related crime, as well as the enhancement of drug prevention, treatment and care service provided by various actors.

He stated further: “Being one of the interventions under the Governance, Peace and Migration Focal Area of the 10th European Development Fund (EDF)-National Indicative Programme (NIP) for Nigeria, the Project aligns with some of the objectives of the National Development Plan (NDP 2021-2025), and the National Drug Control Master Plan (NDCMP 2021-2025).

“Some of these NDP objectives include to improve efforts of state and civil society actors in fighting drug production, trafficking and use, as well as curbing related organized crime, including counterfeit narcotics and psychotropic substances.

“These objectives are being realised by providing training and ensuring strong partnership with law enforcement agencies, enhance capacity across the public, private and social sectors through sensitisation, as well as expanding citizens engagement and inclusion through policy changes and technology adoption.”

He said the partnership resulted in the implementation of hundreds of project activities, including development of evidence-based policies and strategies Institutional capacity building and legislative support, drug prevention, treatment and care, and access and control.

“Today, we are happy to state some of the key achievements of the programme which are not limited to the following: The production of the National Drug Control Master Plan (2021-2025); published survey on cannabis cultivation in Nigeria; completion of pilot phase of implementation of sentencing guidelines aimed at ensuring transparency, predictability, fairness and proportionality in the adjudication of drug cases in six states.”

He further stated that as the National Authorising Officer, he had so many takeaways, “and they are worth sharing because they were the key factors, which kept the project going in spite of the various hurdles, difficulties and problems encountered. Most times those hurdles used to appear insurmountable, but for our resolve and persuasive power, which the team had, we ensured that they were all addressed.”

He expressed sincere appreciation to the European Union for the immense assistance to Nigeria.

“I must also commend UNODC for their efforts in the implementation of this project. To other stakeholders, I wish to acknowledge your cooperation during the cause of the implementation of this Project.”