On Thursday, the House of Representatives resolved to ban the sale of alcohol and psychoactive drugs in and around motor parks across Nigeria, aiming to reduce road accidents linked to substance abuse.
The motion, presented by Mr. Abbas Adigun, representing Ibadan North-East/Ibadan South-East Federal Constituency, emphasized the safety risks associated with the availability of these substances in public transportation hubs.
Citing a report from the Federal Road Safety Commission, Adigun highlighted that up to 90 percent of road accidents in Nigeria are attributed to factors such as alcohol and drug consumption among drivers.
“The consumption of psychoactive drugs and alcohol increases the risk of motor accidents, leading to loss of driving coordination, poor judgement, poor vision and consequently loss of life and property,” he stated.
The lawmaker pointed out that restricting alcohol and drug sales to designated areas, as is common internationally, is essential for public safety.
“The House is aware that it is the global practice that alcohol and other substances that could be abused are limited to the pubs and not in parks and public transport areas,” he noted.
The House, adopting the motion, called on all levels of government to implement the ban immediately. Additionally, the House urged the FRSC to conduct random tests for drivers at motor parks and encouraged transport business owners to discourage the sale of alcohol within private parks.
Further, the House requested that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) increase surveillance in motor parks to apprehend those involved in the trade or consumption of illicit drugs.
