- Senator Oshiomhole criticizes the Nigerian Correctional Services’ (NCoS) 2024 budget, citing inadequate information and dissatisfaction with inmate services
- Oshiomhole demands a detailed breakdown, questioning the meagre feeding allowance, and seeks transparency in the NCoS budget during Senate scrutiny
The Senate has raised concerns over the 2024 budget of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS), threatening to suspend its consideration due to inadequate information.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole, Chair of the Senate Committee on Interior, expressed discontent during the 2024 budget defense session of the National Assembly Joint Committee on Interior in Abuja. Oshiomhole voiced his dissatisfaction with the quality of services provided to inmates by the NCoS.
While acknowledging the constraints posed by limited government funding, Oshiomhole pointed out the apparent shortcomings in the treatment of inmates.
He criticized the meagre allocation for feeding, stating, “It’s not just your fault because the government appropriates little money for you; it is either you don’t feed the inmates or you feed them only once and even at that, very miserable food.”
Oshiomhole drew attention to the deteriorating physical condition of inmates, questioning how they could be adequately nourished with a daily allowance of N750, especially in the context of rising food prices.
The committee chair asserted that the approval of the budget would not be rushed until satisfactory explanations were provided. Oshiomhole sought a detailed breakdown of the number of inmates, the provision for security dogs at correctional centers, and the daily feeding costs.
“I would like to see a breakdown of how you feed the inmates. If you say you feed inmates three times a day with N250 each, how many dogs do you have, and how much does it cost to feed them daily?” he inquired.
In response, Alhaji Haliru Nababa, the Comptroller General of NCoS, presented statistics revealing that the service housed 81,358 inmates nationwide, with 53,362 awaiting trial. Nababa clarified that each inmate was allocated N750 daily for three meals, and the service maintained 900 security dogs, incurring a daily cost of N800 to feed each dog. The exchange highlights the critical scrutiny the NCoS budget is undergoing and the Senate’s commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability in the allocation of funds.