Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transform correctional facilities across the State, stressing that humane living conditions, effective rehabilitation programmes and improved security architecture remain top priorities for his administration.
Governor Otti made the remark on Friday at Nvosi in Isiala Ngwa South LGA when he received a delegation of the Nigerian Correctional Service, led by the Assistant Controller General of Corrections and Zonal Coordinator for Zone E (Comprising Imo and Abia Commands), Dr Mrs Ngozi Amanze.
The Governor applauded the Assistant Controller General for acknowledging his administration’s ongoing upgrade of correctional centres in the State.
Governor Otti revealed that the State is already fencing the Correctional Centres in Umuahia, Aba and Arochukwu to prevent encroachment and unauthorised movement, following a complaint by the facility’s management.
He expressed concern over the high inmate population of about 1,935 and stressed the need for decongestion without compromising justice.
“Our target should be to bring the number down, not up. We also don’t want to let people go when they should not be let go”, he said.
The Governor recalled earlier efforts to identify inmates deserving of State pardon in 2023 and 2024, efforts which yielded no results because “there were a lot of people there for murder and for serious offences”.
He urged the Service to re-examine the list, noting that his administration remains open to lawful measures that can reduce congestion in the Correctional centers.
On welfare, Governor Otti who assured the delegation that Medical Facilities within the centres would be strengthened, also directed the Commissioner for Health to assess needs and deploy Primary Healthcare Services where necessary.
The Governor also pledged support for the provision of insecticide treated Mosquito nets and other health related interventions.
Responding to concerns about lack of operational vehicles hindering court attendance and logistics, the Governor promised to engage the Imo State Government for joint action.
Earlier, the Assistant Controller General of Corrections and Zonal Coordinator for Zone E, Dr Mrs Ngozi Amanze commended Governor Otti his significant interventions that has strengthened security and improved conditions in the Correctional facilities across the State.
She disclosed that Correctional centres in Abia and Imo currently hold a combined 3,542 inmates, with Abia housing 1,935 and Imo 1,607.
Amanze who noted that the zone is “calm”, attributed the development to improvements made in the facilities.
She listed the construction of a fortified perimeter wall and the construction of a new storey building with six cells at the Aba Correctional Centre, and the installation of solar lights, provision of solar powered water at the Umuahia Correctional center among others, as some of the interventions by Governor Otti that has boosted security and staff confidence.
Amanze noted that congestion remains a major concern across custodial centres in the country, adding that the new cell block, once completed, would significantly expand the capacity of the Aba facility and reduce overcrowding.
She also highlighted the impact of the government’s support on improved water supply, which she described as critical in preventing unrest and jailbreaks.
The Assistant Controller General, further appealed for additional assistance, particularly in the area of education and skill acquisition for inmates, pointing out that about 85 per cent of inmates in facilities across Aba, Umuahia and Arochukwu are young Abia indigenes whose education were disrupted as a result of crime involvement.
Amanze also requested for operational vehicle to aid daily administration and staff mobility, medical support, including drugs and mosquito-treated nets, to prevent communicable diseases within the facilities.
She commended the Governor Otti for his assistance to the Nigerian Correctional Service, describing his interventions as life-saving for inmates and staff.
