The Controller-General of the Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS), Dr. Peter Ekpendu, says the service is planning to build new prisons and renovate the old ones as part of effort by the current administration to decongest the prisons across the country.
He disclosed this in the presence of a representative of the Kaduna State Governor, Amina Sijuade, the Controller of Prisons in the state, Abubakar Garba as well as the state’s Commissioner of Police, Umar Shehu, during the commissioning of the Zaria Prison that was renovated by the State government.
Some aggrieved inmates of the prison had on May 28, set part of the detention facility ablaze during a riot, while two inmates escaped.
During an inspection tour to assess the level of damage at the prison, Governor Nasir El-Rufai had released the sum of 24 Million naira for the renovation of the damaged facility.
The Controller-General stressed the importance to decongest detention centres across the country and give them the necessary infrastructural face-lift required in line with international standards.
Acknowledging that Prisons Service was within the exclusive list in Nigeria, Dr. Ekpendu challenged state governors in the country to help the Federal Government improve prison facilities in their respective states.
The state’s Commissioner of Police also pledged the readiness of his command to collaborate with the NPS for speedy dispensation of justice as a way to further decongest the prisons.