TheCable

Mohammed Buba Marwa, chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), says the morale of the operatives of the agency was low when he assumed office.

Marwa spoke during the inauguration of a seven-member committee to address issues hampering the smooth running of the agency.

The NDLEA chairman had, on assumption of office in January, said the agency will be “resuscitated” to be fully active and effective in dealing with all concerned criminals.

He said the first task of putting the agency right back on track is to resolve the issue of low morale, adding that there is the need to develop a proper seniority role for the personnel, especially those whose promotions have been delayed.

“One of my early findings is that the morale of the officers and men has dropped to the lowest ebb. I have noticed distortions in the seniority role of the agency,” Marwa said.

“This has made the personnel become poorly motivated. We need highly motivated personnel to win this war which we must win by the grace of God.

“The first thing is to resolve the issue of low morale. We need to develop a proper, accurate and credible seniority role for the personnel. We have officers in the various commands whose promotion has been delayed for no just cause whereas the vacancies are there.

“Others have been overtaken by their juniors. This is an error that must be addressed.”

Marwa noted that inaugurating the committee is “in keeping with the federal government circulars and the present reality in the agency that we cannot meet our objectives without raising the morale of the personnel”.

The committee, which is headed by Yakubu Bako, special adviser to the chairman, has six weeks to submit its report.