The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says the current push to conduct drug test on politicians, workers and students was to provide help for those who need treatment and rehabilitation.
The Chairman of NDLEA, Rtd Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa who disclosed this in a statement by the Director Media and Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi on Friday in Abuja made the statement while signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with a firm, Primly Services Limited for the supply of free drug test kits to NDLEA.
He expressed happiness adding that it was a thing of Joy to finally see the MoU signed almost three years after the federal government had approved the deal.
“At the centre of drug demand reduction is drug testing, practically, all Nigerians should be subjected to drug test, be they politicians, students, workers and all.
“We have set the ball rolling at the agency because charity begins at home. “This will enable us know those addicted, who need treatment and rehabilitation. ”
Equally, it will deter drug abuse because if you know that the result of a drug test will hamper your progression in school, political career or at work, it will deter you.
In the same vein, we do expect parents to make sure their children don’t get married to addicts by insisting on drug test before marriage,” he said.
Marwa expressed delight in the readiness of the Managing Director, Primly Services Ltd, Dr Vincent Udenze to always contribute to efforts to rid Nigeria of illicit substances.
He noted that Primly Services was part of the resource persons in the course of Presidential Advisory Committee on Elimination of Drug Abuse (PACEDA) work.
He added that PACEDA got to know about the MoU, which had been approved by the Federal Government since 2019 saying that he was surprised that up till 2021, it had not been executed.
The NDLEA boss appreciated the firm for its professionalism and willingness to partner with NDLEA in fighting the drug scourge afflicting the country.
He said that apart from the high quality of the test kits, they were coming at no cost to the agency.
He said that the company would only recover its cost from testing. ” We should continue to look for more ways of cooperation to make Nigeria a drug free nation, which is a task that must be done, ” he said.
The Managing Director, Primly Services Ltd, Dr. Vincent Udenze said that apart from the test kits coming to NDLEA at no cost, the firm would ensure that the kits were one of the best in the country ”
“We assure you that we will not fail in our duty in this regard, ” he said.
Primly Services Limited is an established company which offers a range of products and services for promoting health and well-being.
