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.