The House of Representatives on Thursday, resolved to ban the sale of alcohol and psychoactive drugs in and around motor parks in Nigeria. The resolutions followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by the member representing Ibadan North-East/Ibadan South-East Federal Constituency, Oyo State, Mr Abbas Adigun in Abuja.

Moving the motion, the lawmaker noted that a report by the Federal Road Safety Commission indicates that 90 per cent of road accidents in the country are caused by the consumption of alcoholic drinks and hard drugs, among other factors.

He said, “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.

“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.

“We are worried that motor parks have become sale points of alcohol and illicit drugs where drivers, before take-off, consume these substances thereby endangering the lives of passengers.

“We are also worried that alcoholic beverages are freely available and openly displayed at motor parks except for narcotic drugs that are traded and consumed clandestinely.”

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He also argued that “Many drivers take alcohol or hard drugs before embarking on their journey simply because they are being sold at the motor parks thereby endangering the lives of passengers and pedestrians.”

Following the adoption of the motion, the House urged “The Federal, State and Local Government Areas to immediately ban the sale of alcoholic drinks and other drug-related substances in and around motor parks in Nigeria.”

The House also urged the FRSC to extend its services to the parks and carry out random tests for drivers to ensure that they are not under any influence; and “Transport business owners with private parks to discourage the sale of alcoholic drinks in the parks.”

It further called on the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency to beam its searchlight in motor parks across the country to arrest and prosecute dealers and consumers of illicit drugs.