“The maritime sector by the nature of its operations features prominently in the two major strategic pillars of drug supply and reduction, hence the importance of the sector in our drug control efforts.”
By Uzor Odigbo
The Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has solicited for comprehensive drug tests to be carried out on every personnel and workers before boarding ship at berth in all the nation’s seaports.
The NDLEA Chairman , retired Brigadier Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd) stated this on Monday in Lagos at a programme put together by the Association of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria. (AMJON), to mark this year’s 2022 annual conference and awards.
Marwa who was represented by Mrs Omolade Faboyede, Director Seaports Operation, NDLEA , harped on automated rummaging of the ships saying, this is critical in ridding the ship compartments of every trace of drug.
He further lamented that some major drug shipments are usually done through the sea
The NDLEA front man reiterated that the maritime sector is key towards economic development of the nation , and for Nigeria to achieve the much desired foreign direct investment through a 24 – hour clearance of goods at the ports, the maritime activities must be automated.
He noted that the sector should therefore be driven by efficiency and effectiveness in her operations.
“The maritime sector by the nature of its operations features prominently in the two major strategic pillars of drug supply and reduction, hence the importance of the sector in our drug control efforts.
“It is unfortunate to note that some major drug shipments are usually done through the sea.
“The personnel working in that sector equally need to be shielded from drug use and dependency for better productivity.
There is therefore a need for the NDLEA and the maritime sector to employ synergistic approach to drug control.
“It is therefore necessary to develop automated systems in the maritime environment that will establish incidences of drug use and aiding of drug importation or exportation.
“For instance, a comprehensive drug tests should be carried out on every personnel boarding our ship. Automated rummaging of the ship is equally critical in ridding the ship compartments of every trace of drug,”Marwa affirmed.
Speaking on the topic, “Evolving a drug free society for national development at the occasion, the NDLEA affirmed that countries where people engage in the production and use of drugs usually enable the creation of armed groups who in turn create territories outside the domain of effective law enforcement seeking to control the apparatus of legitimate government, thereby posing heinous threats to human lives, national development, and security.
While highlighting salient points , Marwa called on stakeholders to the media work together in furtherance to eradicate the menace.
“The drug problem requires the collaborative and collective efforts of all and sundry especially the media and indeed the maritime journalists.
“We must all rise in unison to combat the ugly monster of drug demand and supply in Nigeria. I sincerely commend and appreciate the efforts of the organizers of this program. I urge you not to relent in your effort at creating awareness and educating our citizens on the danger of drug abuse in our society.”
Earlier in his remarks , President of AMJON, Mr. Paul Ogbuoikiri stated that with Nigeria’s recent experience where over half of the mainstay of the economy, crude oil was vanishing into thin air in the name of ‘oil theft’ and now the current dynamics in the global energy consumption pattern which is favouring cleaner energy as against the abundant hydrocarbon; Nigeria needs the option left to her adding stressing the need to refocus the attention to other sources of revenue.
The President said “As a body of journalists in the Nigerian Maritime Industry whose motto is promoting the development of the sector, it’s a day we bring industry leaders and stakeholders together in this cozy atmosphere to brainstorm on core industry issues and proffer solutions where there are observed challenges.
“Because we have chosen to live, our blue economy resources which have remained mere potentials over the years have been identified as the low hanging fruit which the country could easily pluck to create abundance for our rapidly growing population.
“For the uninitiated, the blue economy guarantees sustainable exploitation of all resources in the marine environment including but not limited to fisheries, hydrocarbons, aquatic life, maritime transport, tourism, ports and harbour development and maintenance, etc.
It is in realization of this strategic importance of the blue economy towards reducing poverty and inequality in Nigeria that the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo had on January 17, 2022 launched the Expanded Committee on Sustainable Blue Economy in Nigeria (ECSBEN) with the mandate to recommend ways of strengthening the governance framework and infrastructural development of the maritime industry.
“The Committee had members drawn from Rivers, Lagos, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Borno, Ogun, Ondo, Cross River, Bayelsa, and Edo states.
Others are the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN) Oron and the Chief of the Naval Staff. “,he noted .
