The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has described as misleading a report circulated in a section of the media purporting that Nigerian inmates are fed with N200 daily instead of N750 approved by the Federal Government.
Spokesperson of NCoS, Assistant Controller of Corrections, Abubakar Umar, in a statement on Friday said the report which has come to the attention of the Service “is false, misleading, and mischievous in all ramifications”.
While debunking the claims that Nigerian inmates were fed with N200 daily, Umar insisted that inmates in custodial centres across the country are fed with N750 as approved by the Federal Government, noting that feeding allowance for inmates in Nigeria is in the public domain, and vendors were usually paid the approved amount upon completion of supply.
He added even the approved N750 is no longer sustainable and that the Service is making efforts to appeal to the Federal Government for upward review of feeding allowance to reflect the present economic realities.
The statement reads in part: “For the avoidance of doubt, the public may wish to note that feeding allowance for inmates in Nigeria is in the public domain, and vendors are paid the approved amount upon completion of supply.
“Contract for ration supply is usually made public, and the conditions clearly stated for interested vendors to apply in line with the public procurement act 2007.
“Furthermore, every custodial centre has a ration committee that exercises supervisory role over quality assurance of supply, preparation, and distribution to inmates to ensure that they are fed within the approved budget.
“The authorities have, over the years, demonstrated commitment towards improving inmates’ welfare in terms of feeding as well as empowerment through effective reformation and rehabilitation programmes.
“While the Service is making efforts to appeal to the Federal Government for upward review of feeding allowance to reflect the present economic realities, it will be unfair and unpatriotic for anyone to fabricate stories just to denigrate the Service.
“The public is advised to discountenance the false report and be assured of the irrevocable commitment of the Controller-General of Corrections, Haliru Nababa, to work for the general good of persons in custody even as genuine support of well-meaning Nigerians will continue to be appreciated,” NCoS stated.
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