The Chairman and CEO of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), has called for continued backing from the National Assembly to strengthen the Agency’s capacity in the fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.
Marwa made the appeal during budget defence sessions held on January 13 and 14, 2025, before both committees.
In his address, Marwa expressed gratitude to the lawmakers for their steadfast support in the previous fiscal year and urged them to continue assisting the agency, particularly in addressing its critical infrastructure needs. He acknowledged President Bola Tinubu for his ongoing encouragement to the NDLEA.
“I want to begin by thanking the committee for your unwavering support throughout the 2024 fiscal year. Under your leadership, we have made great strides in the war on drug abuse. Your work on amending the NDLEA Act is especially appreciated,” Marwa said.
He further appealed for budgetary allocations to address accommodation challenges faced by the Agency’s personnel across the country, which he described as vital to the security and operational efficiency of the NDLEA.
The 2025 NDLEA budget proposal, amounting to N67.5 billion, includes N47.16 billion for personnel costs, N3.38 billion for operational overheads, and N16.97 billion for capital expenditure.
Marwa highlighted the urgent need for an enhancement of the capital budget, particularly for the ongoing barracks project, to provide secure housing for NDLEA personnel. This, he argued, would not only improve staff morale but also ensure the security and effectiveness of the agency’s operations.
Marwa pointed out that many NDLEA commands are currently operating from inadequate rented facilities, which undermines their capacity to carry out critical work.
“Proper accommodation is essential to improve our operational integrity, enhance staff morale, and enable us to effectively tackle the growing challenges posed by sophisticated drug cartels and substance abuse,” he stated.
During the sessions, the House Committee Chairman on Narcotic Drugs, Hon. Abass Adigun, reiterated the committee’s commitment to supporting the NDLEA’s operations.
“We recognise the vital role the NDLEA plays in safeguarding our communities from the dangers of narcotics and illicit substances. We are dedicated to ensuring that public funds are allocated efficiently and transparently to support the Agency’s work,” he said.
Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics, also commended the NDLEA for its remarkable performance in 2024. “We are proud of the Agency’s accomplishments and will continue to offer the necessary support to ensure its success in the coming year,” he assured.
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