The Controller General of the Nigeria Correctional Service NCoS, Mr Ja’afaru Ahmed, on Tuesday, disclosed that ₦6 billion has been released for the construction of the first phase of the 3, 000-capacity Karshi Maximum Security Custodial Centre in Abuja.
The facility on completion is expected to have a court, rehabilitation centre for drug addicts, vocational and skill acquisition wing, hospital as well as a school and a creche for infants in the female wing.
Ahmed disclosed this during an oversight visit of the House Committee on Reformatory Institutions to the site in Abuja.
The project was flagged off in March this year with its groundbreaking performed by the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. It is being replicated in each of the six geopolitical zones of the country.
The CG who was represented by the Deputy Controller-General, Human Resources, Mr John Mrabure explained that of the sum, N4.1 billion had so far been expended on the project.
According to him, the construction of the mega custodial centre at Karshi was borne out of memo on strategic policy programmes of the service that was presented to the Federal Executive council in 2017.
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He said the first phase of the project commenced with 51 sub-projects being handled by local contractors and which are at various stages of completion.
“The first phase was kick-started with an initial appropriated sum of N6.031b out of the N22.6 billion budgeted for the Service in 2018.
“A total of 46 projects were awarded to indigenous companies after they were found to be technically and financially qualified. Thereafter, five additional projects were later awarded bringing the total number of projects to 51,” he explained.
In his remark, the committee chairman, Hon. Edwin Anayo commended the quality of the job after inspecting the site, adding that the committee would ensure that the National Assembly releases more funds for the completion of the projects.
He said; “We have gone round and I think the whole National Assembly is happy. We are going to ensure they release the funds as and when due so that the job can be completed for the use of Nigerians,” he said.
