A Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), Precious Oluwasanya Foundation, on Monday flagged off the construction of two blocks of 500-capacity accommodation for inmates of Kirikiri Medium Prisons, Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quotes the NGO as saying that the twin two-storey buildings, which will also have a library for use by inmates determined to further their education in prison, will be completed withing three months.
Speaking at the foundation laying ceremony, Mrs Bunmi Alabi, representative of the foundation, said that the project was embarked upon to encourage inmates who had given up on life while in the prison.
“One of the places we have been visiting is the prisons. We have met needs in the time past and we won’t stop meeting needs of people, not only inmates.
“We are doing this to encourage inmates, we are starting the project today and we are believing God for speed and provision,” she said.
The Deputy Controller in charge of the Medium Prison, Mr Ben-Rabbi Freedman, urged other NGOs and individuals to assist the prisons in providing basic needs of the inmates.
Freedman also said that the multi million naira project would be completed in three months time.
“As am speaking now, we already have 600 bags of cement, sharp sand, granite, iron rods and other materials that would be needed for the project have been mobilised to the site.
“The most fascinating thing about this project is that it’s first of it’s kind in the whole federation and the standard is not going to be obtainable anywhere in the world,” he said.
The Controller of Prisons in Lagos State, Mr Ailewon Noel, thanked the Controller- General, Mr Ja’afar Ahmed, for facilitating and approving the project.
He disclosed that the project would go a long way to tackle the issue of congestion in the medium prisons.
“This is a one of its kind project. 500 capacity would go a long way to tackle decongestion in this prison,” he said.
He thanked the foundation for the gesture and also urged other NGOs and individuals to emulate such acts.
Mr B M Adenaya, a Deputy Controller of Prisons, representing Zone A Command, said that the project has solved one of the major problems being faced by the prison service.
“This kind of development has never come to the prisons before. “The capacity can start another prison on it’s own .
“This has solved one of the major problems the prison service is faced with,” he said.
He advised inmates to make good use of the facility after its completion and urged inmates interested in furthering their education to take advantage of the scholarship by the NGO.(NAN)
