BY EMMA OVUAKPORIE & REGINA OTOKPA

ABUJA-The Japanese  government yesterday donated N90 million ($600,000) to the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, towards combating drug war, particularly in Guinea, where drug trafficking had assumed an alarming rate in recent years.

Speaking at the cheque presentation at the headquarters of the regional body in Abuja, Mr Toshitsugu Uesawa, Japanese Ambassador and first Permanent Representative of the government to ECOWAS, said drug trafficking and related organised crime were rising in West African with serious consequences on drug abuse and related peace, security and economic growth of the region.

He explained: “In this context, the government of Japan recognizes that the variety of anti-drug measures taken by ECOWAS will contribute to the peace and stability of the region and in this regard, decided to extend its contribution to enhance the effort of ECOWAS .”