Mr. Chairman,
Thank you very much for giving me the floor. We welcome the
opportunity to discuss the problems of illicit drugs in this Committee
under Agenda Items 108 & 109 respectively. The fight against the
production, cultivation, distribution, possession and use of illicit drugs is
a matter of priority to my Government, which is continuously
demonstrated in its commitment to apply all measures within the law to
address this issue.
2.
Illicit drug production and trafficking remains a major concern for
us in Nigeria. The government through its National Drug Law
Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has ensured integration of strategies in
addressing the problem. The National Drug Control Master Plan
(NDCMP), which serves as the country's road map in the fight against
drug trafficking, was developed by an inter-Ministerial Drug Control
Committee in response to the dynamic nature of illicit drug cultivation,
trafficking and abuse. The first Master Plan was produced in 1999, the
second in 2008 and, in collaboration with United Nations Office on Drug
and Crime (UNODC) under the European Union (EU) support project, we
have commenced the development of the 3rd edition of the NDCMP.
3.
The NDCMP aims to address the drug problem through 4 main
strategies:
i.
Control of illicit drug supply
ii.
Adequate and effective legal framework
iii.
Reduction of demand for drugs
iv.
Control of licit drug supply
4.
The NDLEA has recorded remarkable success in controlling illicit
drug supply through sustained interdiction, crop eradication and
prosecution of drug traffickers. The Agency has also been taking
measures to strengthen inter-agency cooperation, enhance international
cooperation, and prioritize the sharing of information and intelligence
with a view to curbing illicit drug supply. Between 2012 and 2013
substantial volumes of narcotic drugs have been seized and over 2000
hectares of cannabis farms have been destroyed.
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5.
In terms of the domestic legal frame work, the aim is to ensure
adequate, deterrent and proportionate punishment to offenders. In this
regard, convicted drug offenders have been denied the proceeds of their
crime through robust anti-money laundering legislation and asset
tracking and forfeiture. Nigeria has also taken steps to promote
international judicial cooperation including extradition, mutual legal
assistance and transfer of proceedings.
6.
The Licit supply component of the Master Plan encourages
compliance to requirements of the International Drug Control Treaties.
In line with this, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration
and Control (NAFDAC) has put in measures to ensure that the
importation, domestic manufacture, distribution, sale and use of Narcotic
drugs and psychotropic substances are limited to medical and scientific
purposes. NAFDAC has also embarked on capacity building for
stakeholders.
7.
The Drug Demand Reduction component highlights strategies for
addressing different forms of drug abuse, misuse and drug dependence.
Under this component, public enlightenment programmes for different
target groups are being carried out and drug treatment services have
been extended to drug dependent persons across the country.
8.
In Nigeria, cannabis used to be the only locally produced drug but
recently five methamphetamine production laboratories were discovered
and shut-down. This has placed additional demands on drug law
enforcement in the country. Trafficking in methamphetamine has
assumed a new threat because of its rising price and demand in global
markets.
9.
This situation poses some concerns to enforcement authorities.
The implications are that local drug syndicates will continue to devise
ways of getting their drugs across to these markets. In the process, our
youths remain the most vulnerable targets. Besides using them as drug
mules, there is the risk of turning them into addicts. Above all, there is
the fear of drug barons sponsoring violence and terror with laundered
proceeds of drugs.
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Mr. Chairman,
10. The NDLEA in 2012 won the conviction of 1,720 persons. The
court however discharged and acquitted 18 others while 660 cases
were pending as at December 31, 2012. A total of 1,237 persons had
been convicted between January and July 2013. The Agency gives
priority attention to prosecution of drug offenders in line with the
provisions of the NDLEA Act. All cases are diligently investigated and
pursued to a logical conclusion. Over the years, we have secured an
average annual conviction of 1,500. We will continue to respect the rule
of law and ensure that justice is served in all cases.
11. Drug control is a shared responsibility which calls for international
cooperation. No country, no matter how powerful, can win the war on
illicit drugs alone. It is for this reason that Nigeria maintains a close
working relationship with several countries and this has helped us
greatly in our efforts to combat illicit drug trafficking.
Mr. Chairman,
12. The Nigerian government is deeply concerned about the protection
of its image. We are committed to the dismantling of drug trafficking
syndicates. The Agency will continue to fight money laundering. This is
crucial to protect the economy from the activities of drug barons. We
shall continue to build on our strengths and eliminate weaknesses in the
days, months and years ahead.
13. Finally Mr. Chairman, we wish to reassure the international
community that we shall relentlessly confront drug barons with all the
resources at our disposal and with the cooperation and collaboration of
our international partners. In view of the fact that drug trafficking is a
global problem, we shall continue to partner with the international
community in seeking better strategies to address the problem. A world
free of illicit drugs is possible when we work together.
14.
I thank you.
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