Pubdate: Tue, 23 Sep 2008
Source: This Day (Nigeria)
Copyright: 2008 This Day.
Contact:  http://www.thisdayonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2870
Author: Eugene Agha

NDLEA RECEIVES 2,630 CLEARANCE APPLICATIONS

National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has said it has received 
a total of 2,630 visa clearance applications from Nigerians 
travelling to different drug producing countries, from January 2006 
to July 2008.

However, out of this number, only three were unsuccessful. No reason 
was given for the denial.

The administrative fee of N10,000 paid by each applicant for the 
period under review has also yielded  over N26million,  into the 
government coffers.

It revealed that 609 applications were received in 2006, while the 
following year, the number increased to 1,004.

It added that from January to July 2008, 947 applications have so far 
been received and explained that the clearance certificate issued to 
applicants by the Agency is a prerequisite for them to be granted 
entry visas by  relevant authorities.

NDLEA Head, Public Affairs,  Ofoyeju Mitchell, said Chairman/ of the 
Agency, Ahmadu Giade, while pointing out some of the merits of the 
visa clearance process, observed that the strategy is one of the 
pro-active measures put in place by the Agency to control illicit 
drug trafficking and abuse, besides anti-drug public enlightenment.

He said the visa clearance policy has been very effective, as it 
affords the Agency the opportunity of gathering vital information 
about the applicant.

Giade said, " implementation of the screening process,  a 
precautionary measure taken to guard against illicit drug 
trafficking, has yielded positive results. The beauty of the exercise 
is that applicants present themselves for investigation and in 
addition, produce two referees. No right thinking person will agree 
to sign an undertaking for an applicant that has a questionable character."

Giade also said that since inception of the strategy not one person 
cleared by the Agency ever got involved in drug trafficking. He 
attributed it to the in-built control strategy where applicants are 
thoroughly investigated among other requirements.

The Agency has an understanding with relevant drug producing 
countries where any Nigerian travelling to such countries is required 
to undergo screening by the Agency.

The process though simple is designed in such a way that it is 
difficult for anyone who is cleared to be involved in drug 
trafficking. At present, the NDLEA has a smooth implementation of 
this exercise with several countries such as  Thailand, Indonesia, 
Pakistan, Russia and Brazil. Others are Malaysia, Philippine, 
Slovakia and Singapore. However, efforts are on going to extend the 
understanding to other countries where narcotic drugs are produced.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom