NGO Blasts Reps Over Moves To Legalize Indian Hemp

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Across Nigeria Thursday, May 20th, 2021

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – A Non- governmental organization NGO, Parent – Child Intervention Centre (PCIC), has faulted Nigeria’s House Of Representatives move to legalize the use of Indian Hemp in the country for economic benefit.

House of Representatives Spokesman, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, had recently disclosed to the media on the benefits and opportunities of Cannabis in Akure, Ondo state capital, South- West Nigeria.

The Lawmaker, said that the lower Chamber of the National Assembly (NASS) has concluded an arrangement to organize a two-day stakeholders roundtable on the benefits of the weed.

According to him a date for the stakeholder’s forum, which will attract participants among scientists, medical and pharmaceutical professionals, farmers, insurance companies, executives, and private sector investors has been fixed for June 7th, and 8th 2021.

He explained that countries such as South Africa and others are currently reaping high revenue from cannabis which they export to other countries.

“Nigeria has been described as oil-dependent and not oil-rich. It is a worrying reality that we have not optimized the financial stability advantage that our oil reserves can provide us to diversify our collective investment and revenue sources.

“The coronavirus pandemic exposed our weaknesses when global oil prices plummeted by as much as 15 per cent even falling below $0 a barrel on 20

“Indeed, our economy is still recovering from that shock. However, as the world increasingly shifts towards renewable energy and climate-friendly energy sources, global oil demand will further drop.

“Agriculture has always been a major strength of Nigeria, and cannabis provides interesting prospects. Industrial hemp is a variety of the Cannabis sativa plant species that is grown specifically for industrial use

Once harvested, the crop has a high yield of edible proteins and fibres with more than 50,000 product applications ranging from papermaking, textiles, biodegradable plastics, fuel, construction, healthy food, beverages, personal care products, and pharmaceuticals.

But reacting to the plan, via a statement made available to African Examiner in Enugu on Wednesday, Executive Director of the NGO, Ambassador Peggy Chukwuemeka, condemned the move, saying such law, if enacted, would be counter productive to the nation.

She said the consequence would be alarming, adding that “the negative effects on Sexual and Gender Based Violence SGBV will be terrible.

There is no gain saying the fact that such law is “going to increase the rate of SGBV and women and girls will be mostly affected.

Chukwuemeka, stated that “It has been established that there is a relationship between drug and Substance Abuse and SGBV.

She however, urged Civil Society organizations, NGOs and other Stakeholders to rise up against such anti human proposed law for the interest of the nation.

The NGO boss, therefore, advised members of the nations’ National Assembly NASS to better initiate human oriented laws that would be beneficial to the masses, rather than enacting laws that will destroy Nigerian youths.

“Our lawmakers, both at state and National levels should always think of human oriented laws, rather than putting in place laws that would destroy our future youths” she stated.