The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a total of $1.442 million for the procurement of arms, ammunition and equipment for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), to boost its anti-narcotics operations.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Dr Lateef Fagbemi, disclosed this on Tuesday while briefing newsmen after the Council meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu at the State House.
Fagbemi added that another sum of N1.99 billion was okayed for the procurement of 33 CNG-compliant vehicles for the anti-narcotic agency.
The Minister, who said his ministry submitted three memoranda on behalf of the NDLEA to the Council, added that another N985 million was okayed for the procurement of two full-body scanners for the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
“We discussed some other items today, three items in respect of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, otherwise known as NDLEA. The first one is the procurement of 33 Mikano Maxus E60 motor vehicles, to boost the operation of the NDLEA at N1.9 billion.
“You will agree with me that it is important that we give support to the activities of NDLEA so the Council considered this and gave approval for the purchase of 33 Mikano vehicles and they are all CNG compliant. This is for the sum of $1.442 million.
“The second one is, again, purchase for the NDLEA this time is for the procurement of arms, ammunition and anti-riot equipment for counter-narcotics operations for the NDLEA.
“The third in the series is the procurement of two units of full body scanners at both Abuja and Lagos international airports to boost the operation of the NDLEA. This is at a cost of N985 million”, the Minister said.
Meanwhile, the Council equally approved a ban on the use of single-use plastics, also known as on-the-go plastics, in all federal ministries, agencies, and departments (MDAs).
Minister of State for Environment, Iziak Salako, who disclosed this at the post-FEC briefing at the State House, explained that the move was in line with the 2022 National Policy on Plastic Waste Management and that it demonstrated the government’s commitment to addressing the triple crisis of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss.
According to the Minister, the ban aimed to reduce plastic waste, which was a significant contributor to flooding, ocean pollution, and human health issues.
“The Federal Ministry of Environment proposed and the Federal Executive Council approved that a ban be placed on the use of on-the-go plastics, what we know as single-use plastics, in all ministries, agencies and departments of the federal governments. This is in line with the 2022 National Policy on Plastic Waste Management.
“We must say that the discussion in EXCO was very smooth because all members of EXCO including Mr President were very enthusiastic about this ban. This ban is also in line with the commitment of Mr President to ensure that Nigeria plays its part in ensuring that the triple crisis of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss is frontally addressed.
“As you know, plastic is one of the key challenges that we face when we go to our drains and when we talk about the issue of flooding, we find out that plastic waste is heavily incriminated. We also find out that plastic pollution is a major issue in our oceans, is a major issue affecting human health affecting our environment.
While the ban is currently limited to federal government institutions, it is seen as a precursor to a nationwide ban on single-use plastics by January 2025, as outlined in the National Policy on Plastic Waste Management.
“First, let me just say categorically, again, for purposes of clarity. The ban is for federal government ministries, agencies and departments, it is not nationwide. However, this is,