Inmates in Nigeria are fed with N750 daily and none of them with N200, Nigerian Correctional Service has reiterated.
The amount at which inmates of correctional centres across the country are fed was contained in a statement on Thursday by the Assistant Controller of Corrections (Public Relations Officer), Abubakar Umar.
The statement read: “A misleading report circulated in a section of the media purporting that Nigerian inmates are fed with N200 daily instead of N750 approved by the Federal Government has come to the attention of the Nigerian Correctional Service.
“This report is false, misleading, and mischievous in all ramifications. For the avoidance of doubt, the public may wish to note that feeding allowance for inmates in Nigeria is in the public domain, and vendors are paid the approved amount upon completion of supply.
“Contract for ration supply is usually made public, and the conditions clearly stated for interested vendors to apply in line with the public procurement act 2007.”
Umar added in the statement that: “Furthermore, every custodial centre has a ration committee that exercises supervisory role over quality assurance of supply, preparation, and distribution to inmates to ensure that they are fed within the approved budget.”
He noted that: “The authorities have, over the years, demonstrated commitment towards improving inmates’ welfare in terms of feeding as well as empowerment through effective reformation and rehabilitation programmes.”
He said while the Service is making efforts to appeal to the Federal Government for upward review of feeding allowance to reflect the present economic realities, it would however “be unfair and unpatriotic for anyone to fabricate stories just to denigrate the Service.”
Umar said: “The public is advised to discountenance the false report and be assured of the irrevocable commitment of the Controller-General of Corrections, Haliru Nababa FICMC MFR, to work for the general good of persons in custody even as genuine support of well-meaning Nigerians will continue to be appreciated.”
