THE Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has refuted a media report that inmates in Nigeria are fed with N200 daily.
The NCoS, in a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer Abubakar Umar on Thursday, January 4, described the report as misleading.
Umar said each inmate is fed with N750 daily rather than the N200 claimed.
“This report is false, misleading, and mischievous in all ramifications. 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,” the statement reads.
The NCoS said every custodial centre had a ration committee that exercises a supervisory role over quality assurance of supply, preparation, and distribution to inmates to ensure they are fed within the approved budget.
The statement added that authorities had, over the years, demonstrated commitment towards improving inmates’ welfare in terms of feeding and empowerment through practical reformation and rehabilitation programmes.
According to the statement, the Service has appealed to the Federal Government for an upward review of feeding allowances to reflect the present economic realities.
It added that it would be unfair and unpatriotic for anyone to fabricate stories to criticise the Service.
The NCoS urged the public to dismiss the “false report” and be assured of the commitment of the Controller-General of Corrections, Haliru Nababa, to working for the general good of inmates.
A group, Vanguard For Truth Foundation, raised the alarm on Thursday, January 4, that prisoners in Nigerian detention facilities were fed with N200 daily instead of the N750 that the government approved.
The group decried the alleged high rate of corruption among Nigerian Correctional Service staff.
According to the group, each prisoner’s N750 daily meal allowance is only stated on paper.
The group challenged the NCoS to invite the Ministry of Interior, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to demand information from the contractors it had awarded contracts for inmates feeding if it doubted its findings.
It also asked the NCoS to produce an audit report that include audit details, receipts for food purchases, and bank statements from the contractors supplying meals to 50 of the nation’s correctional centres.
A reporter with the ICIR
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