Lokoja
Kogi State government has expressed determinatiob go into drug whistle blower partnership with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to stem the tide of drug abuse in the state.
The Commissioner for Information and Communication, Evang. Kingsley Fanwo said this when when he paid a courtesy visit to the Directorate of NDLEA in the state.
Fanwo, who directed some officers in his ministry to commence the partnership process said the policy wouy be officially launched by the state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello soon.
He expressed the resolve the ministry to fight the scourge of drug abuse, using cost effective measures to allow for more developmental projects in the state.
“As a ministry, we are not only concerned with generating revenue into government coffers, but ensuring that government does not have to spend too much in fighting insecurity.
Fanwo,who reiterated the commitment of Governor Yahaya Bello’s administration to fighting insecurity, identified drug abuse as root cause of the menace, stressing that it must be tackled head long.
He craved partnership with NDLEA for the campaign against the use of hard drugs, especially among youths so that they can remain useful citizens.
“Our ministry is ready to work with you to reduce the consumption of cannabis that is destroying the mental health of our youths in the state.
” When they are healthy and desist from addiction, they will be able to do well for themselves and the state,” Fanwo said.
The commissioner said he had directed that one hour transmission in Radio Kogi and a top corner advertisement in ‘The Graphic’ newspaper, for the campaign against incessant use of illicit drugs.
Receiving the commissioner, the Commander of NDLEA in the state, Mr Alfred Bayode Adewumi, said the central location of Kogi State had given it a transit position for drug trafficking.
He, therefore called for adoption of more stringent measures in curbing drug abuse in the state.
The commander,who noted that the agency had unutilised facilities, due to the obscure location of NDLEA office in Lokoja,appealed to the state government relocation NDLEA office to a more conspicuous place for people to access its services.
The state NDLEA boss also commended the state government for supporting the activities of the agency in the state.
Meanwhile,the Director-General of the Kogi State Broadcasting Corporation, Alhaji Ojo Oyila and the Managing Director of ‘The Graphic’, Pastor Dayo Thomas, have promised to avail NDLEA media facilities in the fight against drug abuse.
Directors of the Ministry of Information and their counterparts at NDLEA present also present at the courtesy visit also pledged their commitments toward the fight against drug abuse in the society.
Duaglobalnews reports that the state has been experiencing frightening chart in crime, most of which is being committed by youths, aided by drug abuse among other factors.
