The Nationwide Drug Regulation Enforcement Company (NDLEA) has opened two new forensic laboratories and upgraded its present one to enhance accessibility, pace up evaluation, and improve the prosecution of drug-related instances.
Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), NDLEA Chairman made the announcement in a press release issued by the company’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Mr. Femi Babafemi, on Monday in Abuja.
Marwa said that for over 25 years, the company had been conducting forensic evaluation at a single laboratory facility in Lagos.
Nevertheless, as a consequence of a latest surge in drug seizures, the institution of recent laboratories grew to become vital.
He highlighted that the 2 further laboratories, situated in Abuja and Enugu State, are strategically positioned and outfitted with state-of-the-art services to fulfill the very best requirements of high quality.
He said that this consists of security protocols and guaranteeing a secure working setting.
He added that the newly constructed laboratories would improve the company’s forensic evaluation capabilities, as they’re outfitted with further cutting-edge analytical devices.
“This may even improve our capability to course of instances effectively and strengthen our struggle in opposition to substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking,” he stated.
Marwa famous that whereas the 2 new services had been set to start operations, the present one in Lagos had undergone a complete renovation and refurbishment, remodeling it right into a state-of-the-art facility.
“This challenge is made potential via the sponsorship of the US Worldwide Narcotics and Regulation Enforcement Affairs (INL) and carried out by the United Nations Workplace on Medicine and Crime (UNODC),” he stated.
He additionally stated that the company, in collaboration with the Institute of Public Analysts of Nigeria (IPAN), had performed the coaching and certification of 20 NDLEA forensic analysts.
He defined that the coaching was meant to empower them to log out on drug evaluation stories, thereby enhancing the Company’s forensic capabilities.
“That is along with the implementation of sturdy high quality management measures, following the company’s profitable participation in three rounds of the UNODC Worldwide Collaborative Train (ICE) programme.
“This is a vital a part of the Worldwide High quality Assurance Programme (IQAP) to make sure high quality administration techniques, accuracy, and reliability of outcomes,” he emphasised.
The NDLEA chairman counseled the officers, males, and girls of the company’s Directorate of Forensic and Chemical Monitoring for working with him to interrupt the greater than 25-year jinx.
He stated that the milestone achieved within the space of forensic evaluation was borne out of his dedication to equipping the laboratories with state-of-the-art devices.
He stated these embody creating the experience of the company’s personnel to make sure correct and dependable forensic evaluation, analysis methodologies, and tackling the challenges posed by rising New Psychoactive Substances (NPS).
“The newly constructed drug laboratories and renovated services mark a big milestone within the Company’s historical past, and we’re delighted about this achievement,” he added.
In the meantime, the US-INL has donated new superior tools to the company to reinforce the operations of the NDLEA forensic laboratory in Lagos.
Marwa stated that the handover of the spectroscopy system was executed by the Director of INL in Nigeria, Ms Candace Spradley, who counseled the collaboration between NDLEA and the INL.
He added that the donated tools will improve the company’s capability to detect and analyze suspicious substances.
