NDLEA relocates to new headquarters building in Abuja

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has relocated its headquarters to its new facility, which is being developed in phases, in the Jahi area of Abuja.

The facility, which is the first phase of the national headquarters project expected to be completed with the 2025 budgetary provisions, was officially unveiled during an interdenominational service within the complex on Wednesday, 26th November, 2024.

This was made known on Wednesday in a statement by Femi Babafemi, Director, Media & Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja.

Speaking during the brief ceremony, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Agency, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) said the development represents a phase in the transformation and recalibration of NDLEA into a modern and result-oriented anti-narcotic agency, a process that began in January 2021.

"I'm glad we have finally moved in to occupy this facility after initial budgetary constraints. Even though this is the first phase of the new headquarters project, we are hopeful that we will be able to complete the process with next year budget.

"This is not 100% completed but it is sufficiently functional for us to move in because I was determined to move in before the end of 2024 because with the expansion of the Agency the headquarters also expanded, and in our old location we could not accommodate everyone.

"I have had to post out scores of officers due to lack of space for them to work.

"It was for this reason that the management took a unanimous decision that since it is not 100% ready and we need it, we should make it a low-key inauguration ceremony. This will enable us to relocate some of our directorates still operating outside Abuja into one facility to consolidate our operations for efficiency, effectiveness and seamless coordination," Marwa stated.

He explained that the old head office at Gimbiya Street, in the Garki area of the FCT, will continue to serve as the headquarters annex.

The NDLEA boss expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his continued support and encouragement to the agency to achieve its mandate of curbing substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the country.

"The support we are getting from our international partners and local stakeholders especially President Bola Tinubu, the National Assembly, the Judiciary and the citizenry, is not just to appreciate our efforts but to encourage us to do more and I believe this new work environment will motivate you to surpass past feats," Marwa added.

He commended his predecessor for starting the process of getting a befitting headquarters for the NDLEA.