FG Approves $1.442m for Procurement of Arms, Ammunition, Other NDLEA’s Needs

•Provides N1.99bn CNG vehicles for agency 

•Okays N985m for body scanners in Lagos, Abuja airports 

•Bans single-use plastics in MDAs

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

The federal government, yesterday, approved $1.442 million for the procurement of arms and ammunition for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, who made this known to newsmen after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting  presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, explained that his ministry submitted three memoranda on behalf of the NDLEA.

The AGF said FEC further approved a total of N1.9 billion for the purchase of 33 CNG-compliant vehicles for the use of the agency.

It also okayed  the sum of N985 million for the procurement of two full body scanners for the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

He said the other two approvals were also in favour of the NDLEA, aimed at making improving the agency’s operations.

“We discussed some other items today, three items in respect of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, otherwise known as NDLEA. The first one is the procurement of 33 Mikano Maxus E60 motor vehicles, to boost the operation of the NDLEA at N1.9 billion.

“You will agree with me that it is important that we give support to the activities of NDLEA so the Council considered this and gave approval for the purchase of 33 Mikano vehicles and they are all CNG compliant.

“The second one is, again, purchase for the NDLEA this time is for the procurement of arms, ammunition and anti-riot equipment for counter-narcotics operations for the NDLEA. This is for the sum of $1.442 million.

“The third in the series is the procurement of two units of full body scanners at both Abuja and Lagos international airports to boost the operation of the NDLEA. This is at a cost of N985 million,” the minister said.

FEC also approved a ban on the use of single-use plastics, also known as on-the-go plastics, in all federal ministries, agencies, and departments.

Minister of State for Environment, Adekunle Salako, who disclosed this at the post-FEC briefing at the State House, explained that the move was in line with the 2022 National Policy on Plastic Waste Management and demonstrated the government’s commitment to addressing the triple crisis of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss.

According to him, the ban aimed to reduce plastic waste, which is a significant contributor to flooding, ocean pollution, and human health issues.

“The Federal Ministry of Environment proposed and the Federal Executive Council approved that a ban be placed on the use of on-the-go plastics, what we know as single-use plastics, in all ministries, agencies and departments of the federal governments. This is in line with the 2022 National Policy on Plastic Waste Management.

“We must say that the discussion in EXCO was very smooth because all members of EXCO including Mr President was very enthusiastic about this ban. This ban is also in line with the commitment of Mr. President to ensure that Nigeria plays its part in ensuring that the triple crisis of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss is frontally address.

“As you know, plastic is one of the key challenges that we face when we go to our drains and when we talk about the issue of flooding, we find out that plastic waste is heavily incriminated. We also find out that plastic pollution is a major issue in our oceans, is a major issue affecting human health affecting our environment.”