FG releases N6bn for 3,000-capacity custodial facility in Abuja

Nigerian Correctional Service, NCoS, on Monday said N6 billion has so far been released by the Federal Government for the construction of the 3,000-capacity Karshi Maximum Security Custodial Centre, Abuja.

NCoS said the amount was from its 2018 budget of N22.6bn.

The first phase of the project has commenced with 51 projects awarded to various indigenous companies in different stages of completion.

Disclosing this during the oversight visit of the House of Representatives Committee on Reformatory Institutions to the site on Monday, the Controller-General of Corrections, Ja’afaru Ahmed explained that N4.1b had so far been expended on the project.

Ja’afaru who was represented by the Deputy Controller-General in charge of Human Resources, John Mrabure, said: “The first phase was kick-started with an initial appropriated sum of N6.031b out of the N22.6b budgeted to 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.”

Giving the background to the project, the CG stated that the Karshi custodial facility was approved by the Federal Executive Council in 2017 based on the need to construct modern 3,000-capacity custodial centres in the six geo-political zones of the country.

The committee chairman, Hon. Edwin Anayo, and other members commended the quality of the job after inspecting the site.

They also lauded the NCoS for engaging local firms, noting that this would impact the economy.

The project commenced in 2018.

In 2017, the first two ultra-modern custodial centres commenced in Kano and Bori in North-West and South-South geo-political zones respectively.