The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has officially relocated to its new headquarters in Jahi area of Abuja.
This was disclosed on Wednesday in a statement by the NDLEA Director, Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi.
During the ceremony, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa, described the relocation as a crucial step in the agency’s development.
He disclosed that the new headquarters was imperative to accommodate the agency’s expansion and improve operations.
The first phase of the project inaugurated during an interdenominational service on Wednesday, is expected to be completed with the 2025 budgetary provisions.
“I’m glad we have finally moved in to occupy this facility after initial budgetary constraints. Even though this is the first phase of the new headquarters project, we are hopeful that we will be able to complete the process with next year’s budget,” Marwa said.
“This is not 100% completed but it is sufficiently functional for us to move in because I was determined to move in before the end of 2024 because with the expansion of the Agency, the headquarters also expanded, and in our old location we could not accommodate everyone. I have had to post scores of officers due to a lack of space for them to work.
“It was for this reason that the management took a unanimous decision that since it was not 100% ready and we needed it, we should make it a low-key inauguration ceremony. This will enable us to relocate some of our directorates still operating outside Abuja into one facility to consolidate our operations for efficiency, effectiveness and seamless coordination.”
Marwa added that the old head office in Gimbiya, Garki area of the FCT will continue to serve as the headquarters annex.
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for his continued support and encouragement to the agency to be in a position to achieve its mandate of curbing substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the country.
“The support we are getting from our international partners and local stakeholders, especially President Bola Tinubu, the National Assembly, the Judiciary and the citizenry, is not just to appreciate our efforts but to encourage us to do more and I believe this new work environment will motivate you to surpass past feats,” Marwa stated.
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