R
Richard Ogunsile
Guest
The Federal Government is making moves to ensure all road transport workers in Nigeria undergo periodic drug tests.
Naija News learnt that a bill to establish this awaits President Bola Tinubu‘s assent.
In his address in Abuja on Monday during the third annual conversation conference on mental health awareness day, the MD/ CEO of Intersect Consortium, Dr Vincent Udeze, disclosed that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, had set up a committee that thoroughly worked on the bill, after which it was sent to President Tinubu for assent.
He said the World Health Organisation (WHO) theme for the year, ‘Mental health in the workplace,’ resonates because the importance of mental health in a workplace cannot be over-emphasised.
“Evidence suggests that one in four people will experience mental health challenges in their lifetime. If there are 300 people in this event, 75 of us will experience mental health challenges in our lifetime.
“There‘s no way of describing physically what people are facing, feeling emotional, so a lot of times, workers report it as malaria,” Udeze noted.
Udeze, who is a consultant psychiatrist, said that mental health losses are about ₦1 trillion in developed economies, given the impact.
“Evidence shows that if you look into the mental health of staff, there will be tremendous job satisfaction, morale will be high, and they will be more productive,“ he added.
In his remark earlier, the chairman of the event, Brigadier General Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd), who serves as the chief executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), stated that substance abuse in Nigeria has taken on a new dimension, despite the government’s efforts aligned with international conventions to combat drug use among the youth.
He emphasized that drug use is widespread across all demographics, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or economic background, and highlighted that one in four drug users in Nigeria is a woman.
“The need for drug testing policies in our workplaces cannot be overemphasised. Workplace policies, industries, transportation, and healthcare, especially those governed by safety regulations, are required by law to have drug-free workplaces.
“So it is essential to implement drug testing policies in these workplaces. Random drug testing of personnel will ensure early detection of drug use in workplaces,” Marwa stated.
The Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA emphasized that mental health is a universal concern that transcends biological factors and individual identities, advocating for a culture that fosters inclusivity and support.
In his address, the Minister of State for Youth and Development, Engr Ayodele Olawande, remarked that the mental resilience of many Nigerians has been impacted, but with proper engagement, it can be revitalized.
He stated, “It is essential to intensify our efforts in challenging our populace, and I am personally committing to prioritize the mental health of our youth.”
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, noted that the federal government is actively implementing strategies to enhance the well-being and health of its employees.
He highlighted the necessity of collaboration in formulating policies that bolster mental health initiatives, improve access to services, and ensure that every humanitarian worker within the government receives adequate support to fulfil their duties.
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