ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, has made known the desire of his administration to strengthen the existing partnership between government and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in fighting war against illicit drugs and other narcotics in the state.
According to Governor Mbah, his administration had zero tolerance for drug abuse, adding that young people addicted to drugs often engaged in crimes as a venture.
The Governor disclosed this when he received the State Command of the NDLEA at the Government House, Enugu, Monday.
Mbah, who expressed gladness at the success recorded by the collaborative efforts between the state government and the agency, assured the delegation led by the State Commander, Chinyere Kalu Olugu, of his administration’s continued support.
He said the fight against narcotics, drug abuse and other illicit drugs in the state would help to groom a responsible and productive workforce among the youths.
According to him, fighting illicit drugs in the state would lead to sustainable economic development with more youths engaged in meaningful ventures.
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“We are going to continue to support your activities. We will strengthen the partnership by getting you involved in our structure both in rural and urban areas,” the Governor added.
He further promised that young persons, under his government, would be profitably engaged through skill acquisition, training and employment.
Commending Governor Mbah for the support he had been giving the agency even before assuming office, the NDLEA Commander said the war on narcotics could only be won through collective effort by the society.
“Drug abuse and illicit drugs trafficking must be fought collectively as no one agency could fight it alone,” Olugu said.
She called on individuals and organisations in the state to see themselves as stakeholders in the fight against narcotics and drug abuse.
While decorating the Governor as an Ambassador against Narcotics and Illicit Drugs, the NDLEA Commander commended him for championing the war against drug abuse through his support.
Olugu observed the increase in drug abuse in Enugu State because of the influx of people coming into Enugu from other states in recent times, assuring however that with the Governor’s support, the war against illicit drug trafficking would be defeated.