The Lagos State government has extended the Sanwo-Olu Officers Care initiative to 1,000 officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

The Senior Special Assistant to the state Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Transportation and Logistics, Hassan Adekoya, who initiated the programme, gave the figure on Thursday in Lagos.

He spoke at a free eye screening and gave free eyeglasses to the personnel through the initiative.

According to Mr Adekoya, extending the care to NDLEA is in recognition of the agency’s strategic collaboration with the Lagos State Government during the state’s recently concluded Drivers’ Care Programme.

“Professional drivers across the state, up to 10,000 of them, benefitted from free eye screening and drug sensitisation,” he said.

He said that the collaboration was important because it would no longer be tolerated for any individual on a social contract in Lagos State to drive under the influence of alcohol.

“The governor approved this sensitisation and fitness programme for NDLEA because the state will be embarking on an enforcement any moment from now.

“This is a clear call to all transporters in the state not to allow any of their drivers to be on any substance while driving. If caught, they will be dealt with,” he said.

The commander of the Lagos State Strategic Command, NDLEA, Abubakar Wali, expressed delight at the gesture.

Mr Wali said that NDLEA had collaborated with the state government in the area of drug testing for drivers.

“The drug testing for drivers happened last week, and today we are here having eye tests, prescriptions and giving glasses to NDLEA officers.
We really appreciate the efforts of the governor in this regard,” he said.

He noted that health issues would affect one’s productivity.

“Lagos State government has always been a pacesetter. It should keep it up, and we urge others to key in,” he said.

A beneficiary of the initiative and Area Commander, NDLEA Seme Special Area Command, Rita Ajoko, said that a pair of eyeglasses she received would enable her to work more effectively.

“When we came here, what I saw baffled me. Everything went well. My eye screening was swift, and they gave me glasses.

“I can see very well with the glasses, unlike when I struggled with my old glasses,” she said.

She thanked Mr Sanwo-Olu, NDLEA Chairman Buba Marwa, Lagos State Strategic Commander of NDLEA, and others who ensured that the NDLEA personnel benefitted from the initiative.

The Sanwo-Olu Officers Care Initiative involves free eye tests and giving of corrective eyeglasses and health checks. 

(NAN)