US embassy cable - 02ABUJA2877

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 002877 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
FOR INL AND AF 
 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/18/2017 
TAGS: SNAR, NI 
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: DRUG ENFORCEMENT AGENCY WINS FRESH 
FUNDING 
 
REF: ABUJA 2865 
 
 
1.(C) Since early in the Nigerian fiscal year (which follows 
the calendar year) the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency 
(NDLEA) has suffered from severe budgetary shortfalls -- 
along with all GON Ministries and agencies -- that has left 
it operating on about 10 percent of its requested operating 
budget.  According to NDLEA Chairman Bello Lafiaji, the 
agency has been operating on 1.9 million naira (approximately 
USD 14,000) a month since the beginning of the year.  (Note: 
The operating budget is exclusive of salaries, which dome 
from another account. End Note) Lafiaji has made repeated 
appeals for increased funding through the Attorney General to 
the President's advisors, but had been rebuffed every time. 
In an October 17 meeting with RNLEO, Lafiaji disclosed that 
he met with President Obasanjo on October 15 to make a 
renewed appeal for funding.  This time he brought with him 
the Attorney General and the National Security Advisor. 
 
 
2.(C) Lafiaji's new approach paid off.  The National Security 
Advisor (a personal friend of Lafiaji's) and the Attorney 
General presented a strong case for supporting the country's 
sole security agency fighting the drug trade.  The President 
called in his Principal Secretary and instructed that 75 
percent of the NDLEA's requested operating budget should be 
released immediately.  Lafiaji estimates this at 75 million 
naira (approximately USD 650,000).  Obasanjo also ordered the 
release of 115 million naira (approximately USD one million) 
in capital funds that the NDLEA Chairman had requested as 
part of the FY-02 budget.  Finally, he acceded to Lafiaji's 
request for USD two million in matching funds as part of a 
UNODCCP project for the NDLEA's Academy in Jos. 
 
 
3.(C) According to Lafiaji, the President's Principal 
Secretary, Stephen Oronsaye, pulled him aside after the 
 
SIPDIS 
meeting and incredulously asked Lafiaji "how did you get him 
to approve that money?"  Oronsaye, who is responsible for 
signing the "warrants" releasing all federal funds, noted 
that such a large release of funds is extremely rare in the 
current budgetary crisis. 
 
 
4.(C) Comment:  Chairman Lafiaji has worked hard on a 
campaign to get the NDLEA the resources it needs to do its 
job and in doing so he has repeatedly highlighted the NDLEA's 
sole role in meeting the USG's narcotics certification 
criteria.  Ambassador Jeter has joined him in this effort by 
raising the issue with the President and his advisors 
repeatedly.  Persistence has paid off, though the benefits 
will last but a few months before a new fiscal year and a 
possible renewed budget crisis appears. 
JETER