The Chairman/Chief Executive of the Nigerian Drug Law
Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah (Rtd.)
has denied being on a mission with the Governor of Ondo State,
Rotimi Akeredolu to study the medicinal and economic value of
cannabis sativa.
Rather, the purpose of the visit was to understudy Thailand’s
successful migration of her citizens hitherto engaged in illicit
Poppy plant cultivation to the cultivation of legitimate economic
crops and other lawful businesses.
In a statement on Monday, though the agency is involved in such
migration in Nigeria, Abdallah reaffirmed that growth of cannabis
for recreation is still illegal in the country and his agency must
see to the implementation of the law.
He however noted that Nigeria stands to gain immensely from the
Thailand experience, which was the reason behind the agency’s
efforts to understudy the country.
He said: “My attention has been drawn to the misinformation in
the media that His Excellency, Executive Governor, Ondo State,
Rotimi Akeredolu and I were on a mission to Republic of Thailand to
learn how to grow Cannabis sativa for medicinal purpose or economic
gain.
“This is far from the truth. I wish to by this statement
categorically denounce the misleading information.
“At no point did I make any remark in favour of the commercial
and medicinal value or monetary gain of Cannabis while in
Thailand.
“First and foremost, the purpose of the visit to Thailand is to
understudy how the country (Thailand) has successfully migrated
some of her citizens hitherto engaged in illicit Poppy plant
cultivation to the cultivation of legitimate economic crops and
other lawful businesses.
“Thailand’s model, referred to as Sustainable Alternative
Development (SAD) is the direction the entire world is heading and
Nigeria cannot afford to be left behind. The United Nations regards
Thailand as the incubator of SAD of sorts.
“Thailand is known widely as a success story in alternative
livelihood development for building alternative income in farming
coffee, tea, fruits and crafts which have helped in eradicating
opium production.
“The Mae Fah Luang Foundation in Thailand which implements the
Doi Tung Development Project has curbed the growth of poppy through
this process. This subsequently has banished opium in
Thailand”.
Saying that all NDLEA is seeking to do was to explore how
Nigeria can benefit from such projects, Abdallah added, “Nigeria
seeks to achieve a similar feat in the eradication of cannabis.
“Sometime last year, NDLEA and Oyo State Government visited the
Foundation in Thailand and the lesson learnt is already
transforming the cannabis cultivation landscape in Oyo State where
the Government forests used for illegal cannabis cultivation have
been acquired for a chain of agricultural activities, which
gainfully engages the hitherto cannabis farmers.
“For the avoidance of doubt, NDLEA under my leadership has been
consistent in our opposition to legalization and decriminalization
of cannabis. For example, Operation Thunderstorm undertaken by Ondo
State Command of NDLEA destroyed 3,900.73 hectares of cannabis
sativa planted in forest reserves.
“Similarly, I make bold to state; Nigeria’s staunch opposition
to legalizing cannabis for recreational purposes was restated at
the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, (CND), roundtable just recently
concluded in Vienna, March this year.
“Not only that, Nigeria canvassed for the position that status
quo ante be maintained while decisions are made by the UN to alter
the Single Convention of 1961 under which cannabis falls. These
decisions are yet to be made.
“Lastly, both Nigeria and Thailand still abide by that same
Single Convention of 1961 involving cannabis. While I do not hold
brief for Thailand, it is instructive to state that what research
is conducted by them in order to confirm medical benefits of
cannabis is done by seeds imported under their government control
from Spain.
“And for the records, only 100 (One Hundred) seedlings have been
planted, still awaiting their growth, not to talk of research being
conducted on them.
“It is inaccurate therefore to say Thailand has approved the
medical use of cannabis. This fact can be verified from Thai
Embassy in Nigeria.
“Once again, Nigeria’s position against the legalization and
decriminalization of cannabis till remains in conformity with our
laws – Cap N30 LFN 2004. NDLEA’s mandate is to implement the laws,
no more no less”.