By Emmanuel Abi Couson
Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners ,NARTO , have pledged to work in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ,NDLEA, to curb the use of their trucks and passenger vehicles to traffic illicit drugs in Nigeria.
NARTO made the commitment on Thursday July 24 when the National President of NARTO, Alhaji Yusuf Othman led other leaders of the transport union on a courtesy visit to the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig-Gen Mohamed Marwa (Rtd) at the Agency’s National Headquarters in Abuja.
While commending Marwa’s courage, vision, and patriotism in the leadership of the agency, Othman said the visit underscores the importance the union have in the ongoing offensive action against substance abuse and trafficking across the country.
The union states that the purposeful and committed leadership is not only timely but also reflects on the desire of NDLEA’s to reduce with the aim of eradicating the menace
NARTO visit is to display its readiness as a key stakeholder in the road transport sector to align with the mission of the NDLEA.
“NARTO is acutely aware of the burden we carry. Our truck and passenger vehicles traverse every region of the country, serving as the arteries of commerce and connectivity. However, we also recognize that these same routes are occasionally exploited by criminal elements to traffic illicit substances.
“We at NARTO are committed to reversing that narrative. We believe that collaboration between our association and the NDLEA is both necessary and urgent, and we are ready to play our part”, he said.
To achieve the success of the collaboration, Othman proposed “sensitization and training of NARTO drivers and transport operators on identifying and reporting suspicious cargo or behavior; establishment of joint intelligence-sharing mechanisms to monitor drug trafficking routes and tactics; deployment of NDLEA liaison officers at major NARTO parks and depots across the federation, and public awareness campaigns, using our national footprint to educate drivers and passengers on the dangers of drug trafficking and abuse.”
Affirming NARTO’s unwavering stand on the drug scourge, he said, “our highways must not be used to harm our nation. We want to see a transport industry that supports security, safety, and the health of our communities.”
In his response, Gen rtd Buba Marwa assured them of the preparedness of NDLEA to work with NARTO, adding that, “I have had good relationship with NARTO since my days in Lagos and I’m glad you’re concerned about the drug problem in Nigeria. We are more than ready to collaborate with you at your parks and depots”.
He urged road transport owners to always conduct background checks on drivers they give their vehicles to ensure they are not linked to any drug trafficking syndicate or hooked on illicit substances.
This, he said will save the transport vehicles owners the risk of losing their vehicles in avoidable crashes or to the government in case they are caught being used as instruments of illicit drug trafficking.
