ADHA PASSES BILL FOR DRUG TEST OF POLITICIANS, DRIVERS, INTENDING COUPLES

Lawmakers at the Adamawa State House of Assembly have passed a bill for a law to make routine drug tests compulsory for politicians seeking elective offices in the state.

The legislation stipulates that all politicians seeking for elective, nominated for or offered political position must be subjected to rigorous drug or other substances' test in and around Adamawa.

NEWS PLATFORM gathered that the mandatory drug test covers intending couples, traditional rulers, title holders, applicants seeking admission into various institutions of learning.

The educational institutions in this regard cut across primary and post primary schools, both public and private tertiary institutions as well as skill acquisition/vocational training schools.

The legislation will also subject union leaders, sportsmen and women, any other government worker, drivers, tricycle operators, job seekers before consideration for employment, appointment or issuance of a driving license.

For politicians aspiring or appointed for various political offices as well as students, the mandatory drugs integrity test would form part and percel of screening exercise they must undergo before vying or securing an admission or employment.

This is aimed at putting in place mentally stable leaders who will be on the helm of affairs as well as checkmate the spate of drug abuse being perpetrated in various academic instituions.

Likewise, the legislation is strategically designed to curtail careless and reckless driving/ riding by NAPEP operators as well as soaring domestic violence amongs couples as a result of the consumption of illicit substances.

Sponsored by the erstwhile Speaker, Rt. Hon. Kabiru Mijinyawa(Yola South constituency), the bill was enacted by the lawmakers sequel to a motion by the Member representing Gombi constituency, Hon. Japhet Kefas.

After the passage of the bill, the Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Iya Abbas, who presided the plenary session, directed the Clerk to prepare a clean copy of the bill for Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri's assent.