Minister of Interior Rauf Aregbesola is now being probed by the House of Representatives over usage of over N165 billion budgeted to the Nigeria Correctional Services (NCS) within the last two years.
The decision was taken after a motion under matters of national importance sponsored by House Minority Leader, Mr. Ndudi Elumelu, was adopted at the plenary presided by Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila on Wednesday February 16.
The House minority leader who noted that the NCS has not lived up to expectations in spite of the enactment of the Nigeria Correctional Service Act 2019 which prioritized the welfare of its officers and men in line with international best practices, alleged that despite the increase in budgetary allocations to the Nigerian Correctional Service to drive its renewed mandate, the tempo and quality of the Service have remained the same if not retrogressing.
The Delta-born lawmaker also claimed that the working conditions of Staff and inmates’ welfare have deteriorated notwithstanding the over N165Billion budget allocations to the Service in the last two years.
Elumelu also said that the Arms Squad unit of the Service still parades obsoletes and substandard weapons despite over N1Billion budget provision for Prison Biometrics, Arms and Ammunition in the 2020/2021 Capital budget; thus, impeding its ability to deter, prevent or respond effectively to both internal and external threats.
He said “The House is aware of deaths of correctional officers and men across the country following attacks either on escort vehicles or custodial facilities; also observed that Staff still buys or makes their uniform till date regardless of the huge budget allocations provided for this purpose, provision of uniform for inmates is nonexistence in most Custodial centers.”
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