The House of Representatives has commenced an investigation into what it described as the “appalling” working conditions, lack of facilities and the poor welfare for the personnel and inmates of the Nigerian Correctional Service.
At its plenary in Abuja on Wednesday presided over by the Speaker, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, the House mandated the Committee on Reformatory Institutions to conduct the investigation and report back within 8 weeks.
The resolution came from a matter of urgent public importance raised by the Minority Leader of the House, Rep. Ndudi Godwin Elumelu.
The Peoples Democratic Party lawmaker from Delta State drew the attention of his colleagues to the alleged deplorable state of most correctional centres in the country.
He noted that not only that staff morale was low, as they were allegedly owed due allowances, but also that working facilities and the services available to inmates, were below acceptable standards.
Elumelu cited the instance of the armed squad unit of the service, which he said worked with “obsolete weapons”, thereby reducing its ability to respond to emergencies.
He added that despite increased budgetary allocations to the service in recent times, the personnel still bought their service uniforms and other kits for operational purposes from their own pockets.
According to Elumelu, in the last two years alone, over N165billion had been allocated to address the recurring issues at the service.
He expressed fears that if the allegations were not investigated, the funds provided for the centres in the 2022 budget might still be frittered without addressing the issues.
Members endorsed the resolution in a unanimous voice vote.