NDLEA Empowers Communities to End Illegal Drug Production

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has empowered communities in Ondo State with financial support to discourage the cultivation of illicit crops and promote legal economic activities.

Under the agency’s Alternative Development Project, three communities Ifon, Eleyowo and Ilu Abo, received funding to encourage residents to abandon illegal cannabis cultivation and embrace legitimate farming ventures.

Speaking on behalf of the NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd), Cornel MI Aminu said the initiative was aimed at discouraging illegal activities by empowering communities economically.

“The initiative is to stop illegal activities, illegal crops plantation of cannabis. Instead of the agency going after people engaged in it, we have decided to empower them

Communities should use the money judiciously for what the money is meant for; it is not meant to be shared,” Aminu stated.

According to him, the NDLEA is implementing the initiative in collaboration with the Federal Government in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“We are giving each community 10 million naira as of now and they would receive another 10 million when they use the first 10 very well,” he explained.

The King of Ilu Abo Chief Samuel Oluyemisi Falae, commended the NDLEA for the intervention, assuring that the funds would be used appropriately.

“I appreciate the NDLEA, this initiative would go a long way. We would ensure that the money given to us would be spent judiciously.

“We have generated a joint force to protect our people. Our people will be safe while on the farm,” he added.

Similarly, the Eleyowo monarch, Oba Abegunade Adesina, expressed appreciation to the agency for the initiative.

“This initiative will better the life of the community. We have started planning for the good usage of the money and it will be used solely for legal farming”.

According to him, the community received a cheque of N12.5 million due to the strength of its proposal.

Participants in the programme also expressed excitement about the initiative and pledged to abandon illegal crop cultivation.

A participant from Ifon, Chuwkuwenke Mary, said the programme had brought relief to residents who previously lived in fear.

“We have always been in fear when we were into illicit crop planting. Anytime the NDLEA comes around we run to the bush, but today we have become friends and we have turned a new leaf,” she said.

Mary revealed that participants in the community plan to venture into poultry farming to support their families.

Another participant and women leader in Ifon, Ogeneya Bidemi, said the funds would help residents transition into legal occupations.

“The 10 million given to us is part of the 20 million promised to enable us stop the plantation of illegal crops and venture into legal farming,” she said.

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In Eleyowo community, youth leader Osabiku Godspower described the initiative as a long-awaited breakthrough.

“It is a laudable programme. We have been on this for almost two years now and we are grateful it has become a reality”.

He added that the community would invest the funds in farming and the renovation of its health centre.

Another participant in Eleyowo, Oputeye Johnson, said the project would help eliminate illegal crop cultivation in the community.

“This is a wonderful initiative. It is a miracle in our sight. It will assist us to stop any illegal crop planting activities especially cannabis”.

In Ilu Abo, youth leader Ajayi Victor, said the intervention showed NDLEA’s commitment to community development.

“Ten million naira was given to us to venture into legal farming instead of illegal plantation. When we utilize it well, we will receive another ten million,” he said.

Also speaking, Mercy Paul, a women leader in Ilu Abo, praised the agency for fulfilling its promise.

“We have wanted this initiative for so long from government. We appreciate that the NDLEA came through for us and we will use the money accordingly,” she said.