The resolution is sequel to a motion raised by Ndudi Elumelu during matters of urgent national importance at plenary.
Speaking while on the floor, Elumelu noted that upon the enactment of the Nigeria Correctional Service Act 2019, Nigeria joined most countries of the world in adopting modern correctional alternatives to incarceration or imprisonment including non–custodial measures.
The House minority leader further noted that the extant Act situates the workforce of the Service as the single most important resource available to the correctional system and thus prioritized the welfare of these Officers and men in line with international best practices to propel them to optimal performance.
He expressed worries that despite this Act and increase in budgetary allocations to the Nigerian Correctional Service to drive its renewed mandate, the tempo and quality of the Service have remained the same if not retrogressing adding that the working conditions of Staff and inmates’ welfare have deteriorated notwithstanding the over N165Billion budget allocations to the Service in the last two years.
According to him, the Arms Squad unit of the Service still parades obsoletes and substandard weapons despite over N1Billion budget provision for Prison Biometrics, Arms and Ammunition in the 2020/2021 Capital budget; thus, impeding its ability to deter, prevent or respond effectively to both internal and external threats; the House is aware of deaths of correctional officers and men across the country following attacks either on escort vehicles or custodial facilities.