Follow Us on Google
From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti has promised his administration will work closely with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to curb drug abuse in the state.
This is equally as the Governor has stated the readiness of his Government to partner the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, to tackle gender based violence.
Governor Otti made the promise when he received in audience the visiting
Assistant Controller General of Narcotics, Zone 12, Owerri, Imo State, covering Imo, Abia, and Anambra States commands of the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mrs. Florence Ezeonye, who paid him a visit in his office.
Otti, responding to the request of the ACGN for the State Command of the NDLEA to be moved from Aba to Umuahia, the State capital, promised to look into it, adding that the most important thing was staying where they will be more efficient, nearness to their targets, and getting the intended results
The Governor reaffirmed his stance on the enactment of stringent laws to curb the ravaging menace of drug abuse in society.
Otti regretted that a lot of young people go into crime and use drug consumption to fuel it.
“If you notice, you find that a lot of the young people go into crime, now come back to consume drugs to fuel it.”
Otti told the visiting ACGN that rehabilitation was not enough to discourage people from drug abuse, adding that stiffer punishments would serve better purpose.
Mrs. Ezeonye had while speaking earlier, commended Governor Otti for his pragmatic and impactful leadership, evidenced in the massive transformation of the State.
“I was here as a commander between 2011 to 2015, and when I came back as a zonal commander, Zone 12 Owerri, I visited Aba because I lived in Aba before my appointment as a State Commander.
Other News
“I missed my way because the visible infrastructural development in Abia couldn’t let me locate where I was going. I entered Osusu Road, thinking that it was Okigwe Road. So, I am a witness because I have been in Aba before now,” she stated.
She conveyed the appreciation of the chairman of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Maruwa (Rtd) CON to Governor Otti for his assistance to the state command.
Meanwhile, Governor Otti has assured of his administration’s readiness to partner the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, to tackle gender based violence in the state.
Governor Otti gave the assurance while receiving a delegation led by the new State Controller, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment (FML&E), Dr Mrs Helen Okpara.
The Governor directed the Commissioner for Women Affairs to get in touch with the State Controller FML&E
and ensure that issues of gender based violence are tackled without any rigorous stress.
“Anywhere there is gender-based violence or any violation, the Ministry takes it up. And we take it very seriously.
“Please, let her be in touch with her (State Controller). For the simple reason that we have a dedicated programme for gender-based violence.
“And we have a budget for that. So, instead of calling the police, you should actually call the Ministry. And the Ministry will take it up.
Otti commended the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Hon Nkiruka Onyejiocha for doing a good job in the Ministry.
Earlier, Dr (Mrs) Okpara had commended the Governor for his infrastructural development and welfare reforms that have transformed the State’s labour environment.
She applauded the improved road network in Aba, describing it as a major boost for businesses and industrial operations in the State.
