The House of Representatives has revealed that it will not support any bill that seeks to legalise marijuana in Nigeria no matter the pressure.
This was made known by the Chairman of the House Committee on Narcotics, Francis Agbo, when the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Buba Marwa appeared before the committee for budget defence.
Agbo stated the committee is considering an amendment to the NDLEA bill to ensure adequate funding for the agency.
He assured that the 9th Assembly will not support any bill to legalise marijuana in Nigeria, and called for tougher sanctions against drug peddlers.
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‘We are not supporting the so-called legitimization of Cannabis. This committee is not fronting for that bill, is not proposing that bill because we know very clearly that Nigeria is a heavy user of Cannabis,’ he said.
He added that ‘So if there is so much madness, killings and so on in the country now, if we legitimize Cannabis, the madness would quadruple.’
Marwa solicited more funding for his agency to address drug traffickers. Noting that traffickers are using boats to bring in drugs.
He added that the Ministry of Finance is yet to make provision for payment of salaries of 5,000 recruits in the 2022 proposed budget.
The committee, therefore, assured Mr Marwa that the NDLEA bill will provide adequate funding for the agency.
AFRICA DAILY NEWS, NEW YORK
