Birnin Kebbi: Water Supply Restored as First Batch of Inmates Walk Free From New Prison

Subsequent to an appeal made by inmates of the New Prison Birnin Kebbi to Dr Zainab Atiku Bagudu’s Team A, the Kebbi state government has restored water supply to the institution by repairing 2 boreholes. Availability of free flowing clean water in crowed institutions like this prison (and university hostels ) has great positive impact on the health of the men and reduces risk of diseases such as meningitis this is currently spreading through some Northern states.

Media Assistant to Her Excellency Sabatu Andrew Michika who was at the medium prison yesterday observed that two boreholes have already been repaired while engineers were working round the clock to repair the third. According to the Kebbi state Commissioner of Water Resources, Honourable Architect Bala Sani Kangiwa his ministry received the notification of water lack and appeal for intervention appeal through the office Her Excellency and dispatched the engineers to site this week.

Commenting on general water supply in the state, the commissioner said the state Government has approved N75M to purchase solar power panels and borehole equipment to serve as back up power supply for water. On his part, the Assistant Controller of the Prison Alhaji Mamuda Umar Mato commended the State Government for restoring water supply to the prison and promised better maintenance culture. He thanked the Team for continuing the process of releasing inmates with small fines for minor offense. 12 inmates of the 30 promised have have been freed as of today.

Those released were given transport fare and their contacts recorded for follow up mentoring and community rehabilitation. Some of them had learnt skills during their term such as carpentry and weaving.

Addressing, them before departing the prison, Dr Zainab Bagudu who was reprented by her Personal Assistant Hajiya Balkisu Mai’Ahu said the gesture was to decongest the prison as the selected prisoners have minor offenses with minimum jail terms/fines. She added that as a mother she doesn’t want to see her children being punished once they repent so she promised to keep in touch with those freed as well as those still jailed but willing to be rehabilitated. She thanked the state government for promptly fixing the water problem.

The representative of Kebbi State Federation of Female Layers FIDA Barrister Faridah Mohammed assured of their continued support and cooperation with the office of the wife of the state governor Dr Zainab Bagudu to ensure effective administration of Justice and prerogative of mercy.

She commended the wife of the state governor for paying the fines and following due process by working with the state lawyers. She hoped that the gesture would make the men released good members of their society.