Japan donates US$.6m to ECOWAS to fight drug trafficking

Abuja, Nigeria (PANA) - Japan has donated US$600,000 to the ECOWAS Commission to fight drug trafficking in the sub-region.

The cheque for the amount was presented by the Japanese Ambassador in Nigeria, Mr Toshitsugu Uesawa, at the Commission's headquarters in Abuja Monday.

The Ambassador said the donation was part of Japan’s effort to help stop the rising wave of drug trafficking and organised crime in the West Africa.

He said Japan was ready to partner with ECOWAS in resolving the crisis in Cote d’Ivoire and ensuring economic growth and stability of Africa as a whole.

Commission President James Victor Gbeho, who received the cheque, said drug trafficking was one of the most difficult problems confronting West Africa.

He said the donation would help the Commission through its Inter-Ministerial Drug Coordinating Committee in Guinea, to fight the menace and also implement the regional action plan.

Gbeho said the Commission was working hard to ensure the region was no longer used as a transit point for drugs to Europe and the Americas.
-0- PANA ADE/SEG 29March2011