The Federal Government says it spends N1 million a year on the care of each inmate in correctional institutions across the country. The Media Adviser to the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, Sola Fasure, said in a statement in Abuja on Saturday. The Minister made this known at the inauguration of a 20-bed hospital and facilities for the COVID-19 Crisis Intervention Fund Hospital and Equipment at the Maximum Security Custodial Centre, Port Harcourt.
The minister said the project is a lasting legacy and proves how important federal amendments to date are to both the welfare of inmates and staff.
Mr Aregbesola added that the government, led by President Muhammadu Buhari, has mainly dealt with the problem of inmates contracting diseases in prisons.
In his words –
“The custodial centres were frighteningly centres for contracting diseases like scabies and tuberculosis, among others. Happily, this has been addressed by President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration and is now a thing of the past. We not only have well-crewed clinics and well-stocked pharmacies, the inmates at the custodial centres now have access to excellent medical care beyond the centres”.
The Minister also condemned the enormous challenges associated with running correctional institutions. Particularly the enormous demands on infrastructure, equipment and maintenance of the welfare of prisoners.
However, he asserted that the federal government has a sustainable solution to the challenge.
“This centre in Port Harcourt, with a capacity for 1,800 inmates, presently houses about 3,067 inmates. This is just a reflection of the situation in most urban custodial centres where we have congestion at the moment. The facilities and even the personnel are overstretched, but we are coping and providing long-term solutions to this challenge.
“One of such solutions is the construction of mega 3,000-capacity custodial villages in six geo-political zones of the country. The one for the South-South is in Bori, not far from here in Rivers. The ones for the North-West in Janguza, Kano and the North-Central, in Karshi, Abuja, are ready. Hopefully, we shall inaugurate the one in Kano in a few days, before our departure. Even work is steadily going on in the others and has reached appreciable level.
“Let me also reiterate that the Federal Government will stop feeding inmates incarcerated for breaching state laws. As you commence your budget process for next year, include feeding of your inmates,” he said.
Mr Aregbesola said he had no doubt that the facility would go a long way in resolving the medical concerns of prisoners and correctional staff. The minister commended the management and staff of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS). Particularly for their part in working hard to keep the virus away.
He added that the new hospital is a measure aimed at providing good medical care for detainees and NCoS staff.
According to the Interior Minister, aligning interventions with other NCoS reforms would improve the country’s situation. It would bring about enhanced security, peace, and tranquillity within the Center. Its positive impact is also expected to extend across the entire country.
cc: Punch Ng
