The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Thursday sought the help of the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, for its newly launched Alternative Development Initiative aimed toward persuading hashish farmers to desert illicit cultivation and embrace authentic agricultural actions.
The chairman of the company, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), mentioned the programme would encourage hashish growers to domesticate crops akin to cassava, yam and maize, whereas offering them with the required help to ascertain sustainable livelihoods.
Marwa added that the initiative was designed to deal with the financial challenges confronting hashish farmers by providing them viable options to illicit cultivation and alternatives to earn authentic incomes with out the worry of arrest and prosecution.
He acknowledged this when he led a delegation of the company on a courtesy go to to the palace of the Oba of Benin throughout his go to to Edo state.
He mentioned Nigeria is the primary African nation to undertake the technique, which has acquired the endorsement of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the federal authorities.
He mentioned the initiative had commenced as a pilot programme in three communities in Ondo state, with the help of the federal authorities and the state authorities.
He added: “The intervention would go beyond providing alternative crops to include infrastructure and basic social amenities such as roads, schools, healthcare facilities and potable water to improve the living conditions of participating communities.”
