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Tag: NDLEA

  • “I feed Indian hemp seeds to my chickens” – Drug suspect

    “I feed Indian hemp seeds to my chickens” – Drug suspect

    A suspect paraded by the NDLEA in Kaduna on Saturday for being in possession of Indian hemp seeds says they were for the consumption of his poultry birds.

    “I have a poultry farm and was told that if I feed the chickens with Indian hemp seeds, they would grow fast and strong, and would not fall sick.

    “So, I do mix the weed seeds with their food when feeding the chickens.

    “I fed the chickens with the Indian hemp seeds only once before I was arrested, he said on Sunday in Kaduna.

    He said NDLEA operatives seized the Indian hemp seeds from his house and arrested him, admitting, however, that he used to smoke Indian hemp.

    The suspect also told NAN that he observed that the seeds made his chickens to look healthier and stronger.

    “The situation I have put myself is shameful. I promise not to repeat it in my life,’’ he said.

    Commander of the NDLEA in Kaduna State, Mr Umar Adoro, told NAN on Sunday that the suspect was arrested on April 17 with 3kg of Indian hemp.

    Adoro said the suspect, arrested at Makarfi Road in Rigasa Area of Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, had been on NDLEA’s wanted list for a long time.

    “He is one of the notorious drug dealers in the state. We have been searching for him for long. What helped us is the Ramadan fasting period when drug dealers operate only at night.

    “When they are done peddling drugs in the night and are not expecting any patron in the morning, they oversleep and we take that as an advantage to arrest them.

    “We have arrested about two of them in such manner,’’ Adoro said.

    He noted that feeding the chickens with the drugs as the suspect claimed had its own dangers. The side effects on the chicken would be determined by veterinary experts.

    The NDLEA commander advised those drugging animals in the belief that it could enhance their health status to put humanity and the community into consideration.

    Adoro assured that all suspects arrested would be arraigned upon the completion of investigation.

  • Why we raided Abuja hotel – NDLEA

    Why we raided Abuja hotel – NDLEA

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said it raided and sealed Diplomatic Suite Hotel, Asokoro, Abuja, in a joint operation with men of the Department of State Services (DSS).

    The Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi, said this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

    Babafemi said the raid was an attempt to stop a cannabis party and the launch of a suspected new psychoactive drink.

    He said about 200 attendees, including three young ladies who organised the hemp party, were currently being profiled and interviewed, while bottles of the new drink had been taken for lab analysis.

    He said the hotel was raided at 8.18 p.m. on April 20, following actionable intelligence that some youths were planning to hold a hemp party at the hotel.

    “Quantities of cannabis sativa were recovered from the pockets and bags of those arrested at the hemp party.

    “The audacious party, no doubt, is part of attempts by some elements to create a drug subculture in the Nigerian social space.

    “The NDLEA will, however, continue to work with other security agencies and relevant stakeholders, to ensure abuse of illicit substances is not allowed to get entrenched in the country under any guise,” Babafemi said.

  • NDLEA intercepts cocaine in 3 states, arrests 7 traffickers

    NDLEA intercepts cocaine in 3 states, arrests 7 traffickers

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has foiled attempts by Brazil-based drug cartels to smuggle large consignments of cocaine into Nigeria through three international airports.

    The Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi, said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

    Babafemi said the three airports were Port Harcourt, Abuja and Lagos International Airports, adding that the operatives also arrested seven traffickers.

    According to him, at the Port Harcourt International Airport, five suspects were arrested on April 9.

    He said, “three of them were arrested during the inward screening of passengers on board Qatar Airline flight QR1433 from Doha to Port Harcourt.

    “The three suspects departed Sao Paulo, Brazil, on board same Qatar flight, en-route Doha to Abuja and Port Harcourt with a total of 24.96 kilograms of cocaine.

    “The first is 51-year-old Udogwu James Johnson who hails from Orlu LGA, Imo state.

    “He was arrested with 5.48kg of cocaine concealed in lotion plastic bottles sealed with candle wax. He claimed he agreed to traffic the drug for a fee of N1million.”

    According to Babafemi, also arrested is Ezekwueme Valentine, 32, from Aguata LGA, Anambra, who was caught with 10.82kg cocaine packed in 84 sachets concealed in seven duvets.

    “The third trafficker, Chiezie Arinze, 35, from Dunukofia LGA, Anambra, was arrested with 8.66kg cocaine hidden in 115 golden and silver colour 30ml breakable bottles factory packaged with lotion on top.

    “The fourth suspect, Uchechukwu Onwugbufor, 42, from Idemili North LGA, Anambra, was arrested at the airport car park while waiting to receive one of the traffickers, Udogwu James and his consignment.

    “He claimed he was contacted by someone in Brazil to receive Udogwu and lead him to Lagos for a fee of N100, 000.

    “Onwugbufor was at the Airport with his neigbour, Nwogu Ezimadu, who is equally being investigated to determine if he’s complicit in the crime or not,” he said.

    The NDLEA spokesperson said a psychology graduate of Imo State University, Owerri, Sebastine Kelvin, 30, was arrested with 74 pellets of cocaine weighing 1.454kg at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, NAIA, Abuja.

    Babafemi said he was arrested on arrival aboard Ethiopian Airline flight enroute Doula-Addis Ababa-Abuja on April 13.

    He said the father of one who claimed he was a motor spare parts dealer was from Ezeagu in Ezeagu LGA, Enugu State.

    He also said the suspect claimed he lived in Cameroon for six years before going into the drug business to raise money to boost his trade.

    “He said he was introduced to the man who gave him the drugs in Addis Ababa by another person serving jail term for drug offence at the Doula Newbell Prison,” he said.

    Babafemi said another Brazil based passenger, Uba Samuel, was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos by NDLEA operatives on April 15.

    He said the suspect was arrested on arrival aboard Ethiopian Airline flight from Sao Paulo via Addis Ababa to Lagos with sachets of cocaine weighing 633grams concealed in his footwear and toothpaste tube.

    “The suspect who claims to be a shoemaker and barber hails from Umunneochi, Abia state.

    “While accepting ownership of the drug, he said he used his shoe making knowledge to conceal the drug in his pair of sandals.

    “Uba who is a regular traveller confessed he bought the drug to sell at a market in Abia,” he said.

    Meanwhile, more illicit substances were recovered in raid operations in other parts of the country.

    Babafemi said operatives arrested one Hassan Usman with a total of 22,110 tablets of Tramadol, D5 and Exol 5 in Gadaka village of Fika LGA, Yobe.

    He said one Ali Mohammed was also nabbed in a commercial vehicle coming from Kano to Maiduguri with 40 blocks of cannabis weighing 33kg.

    “Also arrested on the Kano-Maiduguri route was a driver, Ibrahim Khalil, Idris with 60 packets of Tramadol, all on Tuesday April 12.

    “In Kogi, 750 blocks of Cannabis weighing 750kg were seized from two suspects: Hassan Adamu, 25, and Abdulmalik Abdullahi, 24, along Okene-Abuja highway.

    “The drug exhibits were concealed inside fabricated panels of a Ford bus,” he said.

    Babafemi quoted the Chairman, NDLEA, Brig.-Gen Buba Marwa (Rtd.) as commending the officers and men of the agency.

    Marwa commended them for disrupting desperate attempts by drug cartels to traffic dangerous drugs into Nigeria and across the country.

    He said the huge seizures at the airports would send a strong message to drug barons that Nigeria would no longer be their safe destination or transit route.

  • NDLEA decorates Sen. Wamakko as “Wider Ambassador”

    NDLEA decorates Sen. Wamakko as “Wider Ambassador”

    Sen. Aliyu Wamakko (APC-Sokoto North) has been decorated by the Sokoto state command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) as its ‘Wider Ambassador on War Against Drug Abuse“.

    The award was bestowed on him by the State Commandant of the agency, Mr Adamu Iron, on behalf of the agency.

    A statement from Wamakko’s New Media Aide, Bashar Abubakar, quoted the commandant as saying that the honour was in recognition of his contributions to the anti-drug war.

    Iron described the senator as one of the major stakeholders in the country in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking.

    “The command cannot just forget the contributions made by the senator who built an edifice for the agency in Sokoto when he was the governor, “ Iron said while decorating Wamakko in the latter’s residence.

    Responding, Wamakko applauded the efforts of NDLEA in ceaselessly fighting drug abuse and trafficking.

    He described the award as a morale booster and promised to continue to do his best to assist the agency to attain its set objectives.

  • Drug courier, Ezekwesili, caught with hallucinatory drug skunk

    Drug courier, Ezekwesili, caught with hallucinatory drug skunk

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has arrested a 37-year-old South African returnee, Afamefune Ezekwesili, at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, AIIA, Enugu, after he arrived with the hallucinatory drug called skunk.

    It was gathered that Ezekwesili brought in big pellets of skunk concealed in detergent containers. The drug weighed 730grams.

    They arrived aboard Ethiopian Airline flight from Johannesburg, South Africa via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, said NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi.

    Ezekwesili is from Awka south local government area of Anambra state.

    Skunk is made from from unpollinated cannabis plants which naturally contain higher levels of THC – the substance that gives recreational users the ‘stoned’ feelings they seek from the drug.

    It can also cause nasty side effects, including paranoia and hallucinations.

    In Edo state, a 24-year-old drug dealer, Christian John, was arrested by NDLEA operatives in Egbeta, Ovia North East LGA for selling assorted illicit drugs which include sachets of drugged Milo beverage, cannabis sativa, swinol and tramadol tablets.

    In Zamfara state, one Chibuzor Uba, 30, was arrested on Friday 8th April with 1,955 ampules of pentazocine at Kaura Namoda area of Zamfara state.

    A cross-border drug trafficker, Stanley Chibuzor, 21, was arrested by officers of the Marine Unit of NDLEA stationed at Oron beach, Oron, Akwa Ibom state.

    The suspect who hails from Ihiala, Anambra state was nabbed with 11,190 tablets of Tramadol during the outward clearance of passengers travelling to Cameroon.

    In Ondo state, a drug dealer who produces and sells skuchies, Oluwaseun Agboola, 25, was arrested on Thursday 7th April, at his Igoba, Second Gate, Akure residence where 73 bottles of skuchies weighing 77kg stocked in his kitchen were recovered.

    Skuchies are usually a mixture of Tramadol, Cannabis sativa, Codeine, Black Currant (popularly called Zobo) and water.

    In Lagos, an early morning raid in the notorious Akala, Mushin area of the state on Saturday 9th April led to the seizure of 746.25 kilograms of cannabis.

    Chairman of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) commended officers and men of the MMIA, AIIA, Edo, Zamfara, Akwa Ibom, Lagos and Ondo state Commands of the Agency for the arrests and seizures.

    He charged NDLEA officials across the country to remain focussed and abstain from acts capable of compromising or jeopardising the collective goal of ridding Nigeria of drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking.

  • Only 56 newly recruited personnel are being owed- NDLEA

    Only 56 newly recruited personnel are being owed- NDLEA

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has explained that only 56 newly recruited personnel are being owed, following wrong account details and non-update of accounts, “which were corrected in March 2022”.

     

    Giving this explanation in a memo signed by the Director, Finance & Accounts, Shitu Abdullahi, and dated April 6, the agency assured the affected personnel that the issue would soon be resolved.

     

    It read, “You may be aware that almost all officers and men (newly recruited) have gotten IPPIS number in March 2022. i.e., they have been payrolled.

     

    “Issues arose for nonpayment which was previously communicated as a result of non-update of accounts and a few with wrong account details which were corrected in March 2022.

     

    “In February 2022 when salary was paid, those whose accounts were not updated were unable to get salary as the transaction failed due to non-update of the accounts as at that period.

     

    “A total of 59 officers and men (not created and migration) were not paid since January – March 2022 due to non-creation and proper migration by IPPIS.

     

    “This is as a result of bad fingerprint during capturing and technical issues from Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation – IPPIS Department. The issue is presently on the desk of IPPIS. We hope this will be rectified very soon.”

     

    Abdullahi, however, told the newly recruited personnel not to expect salary arrears from July 2021.

     

    He added, “Be informed that the date of first appointment as of July 25, 2021, on the appointment letter is the date for kicktarting of training at the agency academy used for all those recruited in 2021.

     

    “It is not the date when payment of salary takes effect. Accordingly, newly recruited personnel agitating salary arrears from July 2021 should not expect any arrears from July 2021.”

     

    Some new personnel of the NDLEA had said they have not been paid their salaries and allowances since they joined the agency seven months ago.

     

    They said after the assurances by the agency that the delayed payment, which was caused by the Integrated Personnel Payroll information System would be rectified before the end of February, they had yet to get a dime since joining the agency.

     

    One of the officers who pleaded anonymity, said he was tired of the situation.

     

    He said,” How do you explain not earning one naira from your place of work since you joined seven months ago. They are saying it is not from the agency but we work for the agency and they should try and consider us. We have families, we have bills to pay. I am personally tired of the whole thing.

     

    Another operative, who also pleaded not to be named, urged the agency to rectify the issue.

     

    He said, “When you finish training, you are supposed to be paid training allowance immediately, which most times amounts to six months. Some of us have not been paid.

     

    “I am not the only one affected. People affected are tired and not motivated to carry on with their daily activities. I have been borrowing to sustain myself and my family.

     

    “Just imagine, seven months after recruitment I have not been paid. They told us through a circular our arrears would be paid February ending that the issue was caused by IPPIS. Has February not ended? We are yet to get our money.”

  • Cocaine Deal:Kyari’s lawyer absent as court strikes out suit against NDLEA

    Cocaine Deal:Kyari’s lawyer absent as court strikes out suit against NDLEA

    Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, had dismissed a fundamental enforcement rights suit filed by suspended Deputy commissioner of police, Abba Kyari, against the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)
    The NDLEA counsel had filed that the suit be struck out but Justice Inyang Ekwo dismissed the suit

    When the matter was called, Cynthia Ikena, lawyer to Kyari, was absent.

    Sunday, NDLEA’s Director of Prosecution and Legal Services, asked the court to strike out the suit.

    Justice Ekwo said he was informed that Ikena sent a letter, praying the court for an adjournment.

    However, Ikena didn’t file the letter and the judge directed that it’s not in compliance with the court rule.

    Meanwhile , he directed that a copy of the letter to be shown to the lawyer representing NDLEA on the matter.

    Sunday, who expressed surprise with the development, said he was not copied in accordance with the rule of the court.

    He prayed the court to strike out the matter.

    Justice Ekwo struck out the case after listening to the argument of the lawyer representing NDLEA

    Subsequently, the judge dismiss the case after going into substantive matter and noticing that the parties involved had joined issues.

     

  • NDLEA seizes 1,399kg of hard drugs in Kaduna, seals 4 houses

    NDLEA seizes 1,399kg of hard drugs in Kaduna, seals 4 houses

    The Natiional Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has disclosed that it made a total seizure of 1,399kg of drugs in Kaduna in March, and also sealed a shop and four houses in the process.

    Commander of the NDLEA in the state, Mr Umar Adoro, gave the breakdown of drugs seized as 997.121kg of Indian hemp and 342.329kg of other psychotropic substances.

    Others were 0.027kg of cocaine, 0.036kg of heroin and 59.382kg of Tramol.

    Adoro told newsmen in Kaduna on Wednesday, that three of the houses sealed are located at Rigacikun area of the state.

    The fourth, he said, was sealed at Anguwan Maigero area. Drug peddling, trafficking and misuse had become prevalent in the two areas, he said.

    The commander also told newsmen that 117 suspects, including two females were arrested during the raids.

    The Command recovered two locally-made guns, seven cartridges, two ammunitions and 100,000 counterfeit dollars during the March operations, he said.

    Adoro also told reporters that eight notorious drugs joints in the two areas were destroyed during the operations.

    He urged the public to be watchful of movement of suspected goods in their communities and to provide useful information to the agency to curtail influx and consumption of hard drugs.

    He also appealed to parents to be watchful of their wards’ activities.

    Adoro reassured the public of the agency’s commitment to eradicate use of illegal drugs in the society.

  • How NDLEA seized Tramadol, Exol 5 worth over N5 billion at 3 Airports

    How NDLEA seized Tramadol, Exol 5 worth over N5 billion at 3 Airports

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Sunday it has seized not less than 9.5 million tablets of pharmaceutical opioids (Tramadol and Exol 5), worth over N5 billion at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja Lagos, the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and Edo state.

     

    NDLEA Spokesman, Femi Babafemi, who disclosed this in a statement, said the seizures were made by operatives of the NDLEA, and the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS).

     

    Babafemi said, “Of the figure, 214 cartons of Tramadol 225 under 10 different brand names, which translate to 9, 219, 400 tablets weighing 6, 384.5kg, with an estimated street value of N4, 609, 700, 000 were transferred on Tuesday 29th March alongside 85 cartons of dried Khat leaves with a total weight of 1, 327.35kg by the Nigerian Customs to the MMIA Command of NDLEA as a symbol of the synergy between the two law enforcement agencies.

     

    “In Abuja, about 228,740 tablets and capsules of Tramadol and Exol 5 were intercepted on Friday 1st April at Abaji area of the FCT. The truck conveying the drugs was loaded in Lagos heading to Kano. Though the truck driver escaped into the bush during the search of the vehicle, two of his assistants; Usman Abdulmumini, 23 and Aminu Ahmad, 22, were arrested.

     

    “At the Port Harcourt International Airport, PHIA, a Brazilian returnee Nnanna Anayo Michael, 39, was arrested during the inward screening of passengers on board Qatar Airline flight QR1433 from Doha to Port Harcourt on Tuesday, 29th March. Nnanna who hails from Ekwusigo, Anambra State was arrested with 73 sachets weighing 8.15 kilograms of cocaine, which is the largest seizure of such at the airport, since it began international flight operations years ago.”

     

    Babafemi said during the preliminary interview, Nnanna said he departed Sao Paulo, Brazil on Sunday midnight en route Qatar to Port Harcourt.

     

    “He claimed an unidentified person in Sao Paulo gave him six-bed sheets in which the drug was concealed to deliver to another unidentified person at Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa. The 73 cocaine sachets were hidden in 4×1 feet factory sewn colourful bed sheets. Five of the bed sheets contain 12 sachets each, while the sixth bed sheet contains 13 sachets,” the Agency’s spokesman said.

     

    He added that an immediate follow-up operation led to the arrest of 50-year-old Monday Alaisu, who travelled from Lagos to pick the drug from Nnenna.

     

    “He was arrested at the airport’s car park where he was waiting to receive Nnenna with the latter’s photograph taken at the Brazilian airport and his international passport’s Data Page in his hand,” Babafemi said.

     

    He said in Oyo state, 17.6kg of cannabis was transferred along with a suspect, Ramon Dauda, 40, to the state command of NDLEA by the Oyo/Osun Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service.

     

    He added that narcotics officers on patrol along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway on Thursday 31st March intercepted a consignment of 10kg cannabis and 12.1grams of amphetamine in a commercial bus.

     

    He said a follow-up operation in Ilesa, Osun state led to the arrest of the owner of the drug exhibits, Mrs Remi Aluko, 44.

     

    The statement reads, “Three drug joints were raided at Wire road, Benin City and Uromi town in Esan Central LGA where 188 pinches of Cocaine and Heroin were recovered with five suspects arrested. In another raid in Okada town, a patent medicine dealer, Harrison Odion was arrested with 70 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup; 9,638 Tramadol capsules; 16,843 tablets of Exol-5; 80 tablets of Diazepam and 62 ampules of Diazepam injection. In the same vein, operatives in the state destroyed seven clusters of dry season Cannabis Sativa farms in Okpuje Forest along the banks of River Ose totalling 3.124998 hectares.

     

    “At least, seven drug dealers were arrested in raids in parts of Kano with 80 kilograms of codeine and pentazocine injection seized from them. Those picked in Rijiyar Zaki, Brigade, Yan-Kaba, Tudun Wada, Karfi, Ungogo and Nassarawa areas of the state include Muhammad Adamu; Abba Sani; and Auwalu Muhammad, among others.

     

    “While commending the working relationship between NDLEA and other security agencies in the country, Chairman/Chief Executive of the anti-narcotic agency, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) charged officers and men of the MMIA, PHIA, FCT, Edo, Oyo and Kano Commands not to rest on their oars.”

  • FG approves N1bn for eye lie detector, night goggle for NDLEA

    FG approves N1bn for eye lie detector, night goggle for NDLEA

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved N1.06billion for the supply of eye-scanning lie detector and digital night vision goggles for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

    Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, made this known when he briefed State House correspondents on the outcome of the Council meeting, chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday.

    Malami said that N498, 850,000 of the amount was approved for the supply of the eye scanning detector, while the remaining balance of N570,825,000 was earmarked for purchase of digital night vision goggles to check the activities of drug barons.

    He said: “As you rightly know, the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency is an agency of government, saddled with the responsibility of exterminating illicit drugs trafficking, sales and consumption.

    “Arising from the fact that they have been doing wonderfully well, in terms of dealing with the scourge associated with drugs, the Federal Government has considered the possibility of making added provisions and employing and deploying technological equipment, skills and competencies that will assist them in delivery.

    “So, this morning, two memos were taken. One, it was a memo seeking the approval of the council for the award of contract for the supply of eye-scanning lie detector.

    “Our technology has improved to the extent that we have in place technological equipment that have the capacity to detect whether you are indeed speaking the truth or indeed you are lying in the course of investigation.

    “So, for the purpose of enhancing the capacity of the NDLEA in exterminating illicit drugs trafficking, sales and consumption, the federal government has considered the need and possibility of indeed providing this equipment to NDLEA.

    “Eventually, on that account, the Federal Executive Council approved the award of contract for the supply of eye-scanning lie detector by the National Drugs Law Drugs Law Enforcement Agency in the sum of N498, 850,000 only, inclusive of 7.5% VAT with a completion period of 90 days.

    “The second memo is one in which the NDLEA, through the Office of the Attorney General, sought approval of the council with the award for the supply of digital night vision goggle to the NDLEA.

    “This is equally additional technological device that is intended to support the night operations of NDLEA in view of its capacity to support visibility for the NDLEA.

    “So, the contract too was presented for consideration of the council and the council has graciously approved the award of the contract with the supply of digital night vision goggles by the council in the sum of N570,825,000 only, inclusive of 7.5% Value Added Tax with completion period of 12 weeks.”

    On his part, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Niyi Adebayo, told the correspondents that the Council approved N3.4billion to accelerate the establishment of an economic zone in Lekki area of Lagos State.

    According to him, the approval is for the development of a five megawatt power plant and an access road from the Lekki-Epe expressway to a textile and garment park in the same area.

    He said: “Council today approved contract for infrastructure in one of the six special economic zones that the Nigeria Exports Processing Zone Authority is creating for the special economic zone in Lekki.

    “As part of that special economic zone, there is a textile and garment park that is being put up.

    “The council approved contract for the development of an initial five megawatt power plant and electrical reticulation within the park in the sum of N1.5 billion inclusive of 7.5 percent VAT with a delivery period of 52 weeks.

    “Council also approved the construction of an access road with associated drainage works from the Lekki-Epe expressway to the textile and garment park in the sum of N1.9 billion inclusive of 7.5 percent VAT with a delivery period also of 52 weeks.”

    According to him, the objective of developing the special economic zones is to establish zones with multifunction of industry, commerce, trade, medical tourism, recreation and residence among others, in order to attract foreign investment for the country.