Ortom advocates funding for Nigerian Correctional Service

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has advocated for more funding for the Nigerian Correctional Service, NCS, in order to impact and reform inmates to become better citizens after their jail term.

The Governor also fingered insider collaboration for the rampant jail breaks across the country.

Ortom spoke Tuesday at the Benue Peoples House Makurdi during a courtesy visit on him by the new Commandant, Nigerian Correctional Service Benue State Command, Julie Anyanwu.

The governor, who was elated by the reforms being carried out by the Federal Government in the sector, urged the Federal Ministry of Interior to make more budgetary provisions to enable the service acquire equipment for reformation and training of inmates so they do not go back to crime after serving various jail terms.

He stressed that the initiative has given hope to inmates for a better life after serving jail term and not just being confined to one place.

The Governor stated that some inmates get into custody for ignorance, inability to afford legal fees for attorneys while some are completely innocent of accusations against them among others.

Governor Ortom stated that as part of his administration’s commitment to ensuring hope for inmates, his administration in its first tenure, inaugurated the Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy which ensured the release of many deserving inmates from custody.

He stated that in order to ensure minimum comfort for the inmates, his administration is currently constructing a befitting cell at the Makurdi Command of the Correctional Service to ease congestion, pointing out that the facility will be ready for commissioning soon.

On the growing jailbreak witnessed across the country, Governor Ortom blamed it on insider collaborators, saying that such acts cannot take place without officials working within the system.

He then called for stiffer security measures around correctional facilities in the country to prevent further breakdown of law and order in the various formations of the service.

On the continuous encroachment of the land housing the facility, the Governor directed that all new developments on the land be demolished and urged the federal government to ensure more protective measures at the facility.

He pledged his administration’s commitment to complementing the efforts of the Federal Government to the welfare of inmates, pointing out that the state government will continue to intervene in the challenges confronting the Correctional Service as resources permit.

Earlier, the Comptroller, Julie Anyanwu while acknowledging the support of Governor Ortom to the Command, appealed for the provision of an operational vehicle, transformer and an end to encroachment on the land housing the command’s headquarters in Makurdi.