House of Representatives is to probe the Nigeria Correctional Center NCS over the implementation of 165 billion Naira appropriated to it in the past two years.
The decision was sequel to the adoption of a motion on ‘Urgent national importance on the deplorable state of the service in the country.
Presenting the motion, the House minority leader Mr. Ndidu Elumelu, expressed concern over the unwholesome working conditions of officers and men of the service despite huge budgetary allocations with attendant adverse effects on the security of custodial facilities.
Mr. Ndidu Elumelu said upon the enactment of the NCS Act 2019, Nigeria joined most countries in adopting modern correctional alternatives to incarceration or imprisonment including non–custodial measures.
The lawmaker emphasized that despite the Act and increase in budgetary allocations to the NCS to drive its renewed mandate, the tempo, and quality of the service had remained the same.
According to him, the Arms Squad unit of the service still parades obsolete and substandard weapons despite over 1 billion naira budget provision for Prison Biometrics, Arms and Ammunition in the 2020 to 2021 Capital budget of the service.
The House, therefore, mandated its Committee on Reformatory Institutions to investigate the allegations and report to the House within twelve weeks for further legislative action.
COV/TSIBIRI