Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has sought for the partnership of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Niger State chapter to check the menace of drug abuse.
Bago made the request when the chairman of PSN, Yakubu Maji Isah, led a delegation on a visit to the governor at the Government House, Minna.
The governor expressed concern over the rising cases of drug abuse, saying that he would assign some of his advisers to join the PSN in finding lasting solutions to the menace.
He said the state government is considering a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement where private individuals or groups will run a pharmacy in a public hospital at a subsidised rate.
The governor said the waiver for the employment of 1,000 health workers, may be increased to fill up the necessary gaps.
He assured them of his administration’s support at all times and also appealed for meaningful contributions by the PSN for the success of his government.
The governor said business ventures must pay tax but that the state government can give waivers on some taxes depending on the value the business can add to the state.
