The Yobe state government, in collaboration with the North-East Development Commission (NEDC), has donated food and non-food items to the medium Custodial Centre, Potiskum.
Dr. Ali Abbas, the Coordinator and state Focal Person of NEDC made this known on Tuesday, while presenting the relief materials to the management of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Potiskum.
Abbas said that the gesture was part of Gov. Mai Mala Buni’s symbol of humanity not only to the people outside the walls of the correctional centres but also to those that were within.
“So, what we brought today are items that are basically meant to improve human dignity, welfare and happiness of the people in this correctional facility”, he said.
In his remarks Barr. Sale Samantha, the Yobe Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, listed the donated items to include 100 bags of rice, 50 packets of spaghetti, 50 cartons of cooking oil, 10 bags of sugar, 200 pieces of mosque nets, 200 blankets, 200 mats, 500 pieces of facemasks, and 100 bottles of hand sanitisers.
“I strongly believe that these items will ease some of the problems the inmates may encounter”, Samantha said.
He also said that they had also brought some sewing machines, carpentry materials, knitting materials for female inmates and other vocational facilities, that would enhance their lives after serving their terms.
The Attorney General added that the state government would form a task force for the decongestion of the facility.
“In my capacity as attorney general and commissioner of justice of the state, I have noted the issue of congestion in this facility.
“Therefore, I will make sure that all the cases at awaiting trial are appropriately and promptly dispensed with, in order to decongest the facility.”, he assured.
Mr. Ali Isa, the State Controller of the Correctional Service, expressed his gratitude to the state government on behalf of the entire management and the beneficiaries.
“On behalf of the Nigerian correctional services, I thank Gov. Mai Mala Buni. This kind of intervention will go deep and impact on the lives and welfare of the beneficiaries”, Isa said. (NAN)
