The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Monday denounced the high level of drug addiction in the country.
Speaking at the bimonthly meeting and awards ceremony for outstanding NDLEA officers in Abuja, the agency chairman, retired Brigadier General. Buba Marwa, noted that the situation required dedicated NDLEA staff.
He said the call of duty for the NDLEA agent was twice as demanding, given the country’s dire drug profile – nearly three times the world average.
Marwa added that the scale of illicit substance trafficking and abuse in the country required a highly motivated workforce of anti-drug officers and men strongly committed to the fight.
“It is in light of this that any act or gesture that is in appreciation of their effort is a real morale booster for the anti-drug officer.
Such a gesture will encourage them to devote themselves more to this work, ”he said.
Marwa said that tthere was no doubt that motivation was crucial to achieving productivity, organizational efficiency and how to secure a large workforce.
He said the motivation was part of his leadership style and was meant to assure the agent that the agency appreciated all the effort that had been put into the job.
The NDLEA President rewarded the officers and men of the agency for their outstanding performance between March and April.
The Nigerian News Agency (NAN) reports that Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos Command and Ondo State Command were the co-winners of the top performing orders for March and April.
“It’s the first of its kind. When I took office in January, my main goal was to find ways to motivate NDLEA personnel to go the extra mile needed.
“This informed the strategic decision, among other things, to institute a bimonthly Best Command Award review to motivate our officers and men,” Marwa said.
The NAN also reports that some of the criteria used to determine winners include arrest and seizure, bravery, rejection of financial incentives and the like; and command assets and financial investigations.
Others include the management of seized assets, drug demand reduction activities, convictions, innovations and synergy with other security agencies.
“So far this has turned out to be one of the best decisions we’ve made.
“It’s heartwarming to know that the Top Performing Command Award this time has two commands as joint winners.
“Selected officers from FCT, Kogi, Ondo, Murtala Muhammad International Airport, Lagos; and Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport were recognized.
“Others have been recognized as officers of the Kano and Kaduna commands for their outstanding performance during the reporting period.”
NAN reports that all recognized officers received automatic promotion.
(NAN)
