Federal Government Commences Prisons Service Reforms
The desire of the Nigerian Government to embark on sustainable reformation of the nation’s Prison Service has received greater impetus with the commissioning of over four hundred operational vehicles and farm implements recently acquired by the Nigeria Prison Service.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, which took place at the Nigeria Prison headquarters in Abuja, the Honourable Minister of Interior, Lt Gen Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau (Rtd) expressed delight in governments’ commitment to reforming the Service.
The Honourable Minister, who noted the critical importance of the Nigeria Prisons in the smooth administration of Nigeria’s Criminal Justice System (CJS), regretted the dilapidated state of buildings and other infrastructure in the past.
He however expressed optimism in the ability and willingness of President Muhammandu Buhari’s led administration to retool the Service for efficiency, while playing it role in the smooth administration of the Criminal Justice System.
While applauding the Federal Executive Council for approving funds for the purchase of the operational vehicles and farming implements , the Minister said the vehicles will assist in transporting Prisoners to Courts as at when due, thus enabling quick dispensation of justice, while aiding Prison decongestion.
He said the farm implements will be used in resuscitating Prison farms located in different parts of the Country with the aim of producing food for feeding inmates. This will also reduce government spending on ration, boost the nation’s Gross Domestic Product and create employment opportunities.
General Dambazau also used the occasion to highlight other achievements in the area of reconstruction of some dilapidated Prisons built with mud sand over 100 years as well as the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Akwa Ibom State for relocation of Uyo Prison already encroached by urban development.
Ehisienmen Osaigbovo
Press Secretary to the Honourable Minister of Interior
April 3, 2017
