The chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Buba Marwa, has appealed for the continued support of the National Assembly (NASS) to enhance the capacity and capability of the agency to deliver on its mandate.

Mr Marwa made the appeal in Abuja when he led the management team to defend the 2025 budget proposal of the agency before the House Committee on Narcotic Drugs and Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics, respectively.

A statement by the NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, on Tuesday in Abuja stated that Mr Marwa expressed appreciation to the NASS members for their commitment to the nation’s fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.

The NDLEA boss equally thanked President Bola Tinubu for his unrelenting encouragement to the agency.

Mr Marwa emphasised that the NDLEA commands across the federation were contending with significant challenges, particularly a lack of accommodation.

He pleaded for budgetary provisions for the ongoing barracks accommodation for the personnel to enhance their security, dedication, and performance.

“So, we know that we trust that this esteemed committee will do its best. We know that there are compelling demands from other MDAs, but the barracks project is critical to the operational efficiency and success of NDLEA,” said Mr Marwa.

The NDLEA boss also thanked President Bola Tinubu for supporting and encouraging the agency, just as he reaffirmed their commitment to working with lawmakers to ensure a drug-free Nigeria.

“In the budget proposal for the 2025 fiscal year, the agency was allocated N67,512,564,063 with recurrent personnel cost taking N47, 159,240,496; recurrent overhead N3,384,332,017 and capital expenditure N16,968,991,550,” he said.

Mr Marwa explained that the recurrent personnel cost reflected the nominal roll of the agency’s staff strength, totalling over 14,038 officers, men and women.

He added that the recurrent overhead cost covered the operational expenses of intelligence gathering, arrests, seizures, investigations, and prosecutions.

The NDLEA boss called for the enhancement of the N16 billion provided for capital expenditure, which had zero allocation for the ongoing barracks project component.

He said this was to enable the agency to continue providing secure accommodation for its workforce across the country.

Justifying his plea, Mr Marwa said the agency faces growing challenges, including sophisticated drug cartels, drug abuse and inadequate critical infrastructure.

“To address these issues, NDLEA has embarked on reforms, including constructing barracks to accommodate its personnel, improve operational integrity and ensure security.

“Currently, many commands operate from rented facilities, which are inadequate for effective administration.

“Proper accommodation will enhance staff morale, ensure security, and strengthen the agency’s capacity to execute its mandate,” Mr Marwa explained.

In his remarks, House Committee on Narcotic Drugs chairman Abass Adigun assured of their commitment to adequate funding to enhance NDLEA’s operational successes.

Similarly, Ibrahim Dankwambo, chairman of the Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics, congratulated the agency on its outstanding performance in 2024.

(NAN)