FG Approves N1.6bn For Supply Of Digital Night Vision Goggle For NDLEA

 Gen Muhamadu Buhari (Rtd)

Nigeria’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) has given approval for the supply of digital night vision goggle to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, made this known while briefing State House correspondents on the outcome of the Council meeting, chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday.

He said the Federal government had approved N1.06 billion for the supply of eye-scanning lie detectors and digital night vision goggles for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

He said that N498, 850,000 of the amount was approved for the supply of the eye scanning detector, while the remaining balance of N570,825,000 was earmarked for the purchase of digital night vision goggles to check the activities of drug barons.

He said: “As you rightly know, the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency is an agency of government, saddled with the responsibility of exterminating illicit drugs trafficking, sales and consumption.

“Arising from the fact that they have been doing wonderfully well, in terms of dealing with the scourge associated with drugs, the Federal Government has considered the possibility of making added provisions and employing and deploying technological equipment, skills and competencies that will assist them in delivery.

“So, this morning, two memos were taken. One, it was a memo seeking the approval of the council for the award of contract for the supply of eye-scanning lie detectors.

“The second memo is one in which the NDLEA, through the Office of the Attorney General, sought approval of the council with the award for the supply of digital night vision goggle to the NDLEA.

“This is an equally an additional technological device that is intended to support the night operations of NDLEA in view of its capacity to support visibility for the NDLEA.

“So, the contract too was presented for consideration of the council and the council has graciously approved the award of the contract with the supply of digital night vision goggles by the council in the sum of N570,825,000 only, inclusive of 7.5% Value Added Tax with a completion period of 12 weeks.”

“Our technology has improved to the extent that we have in place technological equipment that has the capacity to detect whether you are indeed speaking the truth or indeed you are lying in the course of an investigation.

“So, for the purpose of enhancing the capacity of the NDLEA in exterminating illicit drugs trafficking, sales and consumption, the federal government has considered the need and possibility of indeed providing this equipment to NDLEA.

“Eventually, on that account, the Federal Executive Council approved the award of contract for the supply of eye-scanning lie detector by the National Drugs Law Drugs Law Enforcement Agency in the sum of N498, 850,000 only, inclusive of 7.5% VAT with a completion period of 90 days.”