Ninety one percent of inmates at all the four correctional centres in Rivers State are awaiting trial, this is according to the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Reformatory Institutions, Chinedu Ogah.
Speaking when he and other members of the committee paid Governor Sim Fubara a visit, Ogah who lamented the congestion at the facilities notes that the charges brought against most of the inmates who are yet to be tried or convicted cannot be justified.
But on a positive note, the committee applauded the Rivers State Government for the low level of crime now being recorded in the state, crediting the achievement to a number of empowerment schemes initiated to provide gainful means of livelihood to youths as a way of discouraging them from crime and other social vices.
Led by the Chairman, Chinedu Ogah, members of the House of Representatives Committee on Reformatory Institutions are in Rivers State on an oversight of all the correctional facilities in the state.
While in town, the lawmakers thought it wise to visit Governor Sim Fubara and bring to his notice some of their findings.
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The committee is gravely concerned about problem of congestion at all the four correctional centres… and with the Federal Government now constructing another centre at Bori in Khana local government area, the chairman wants the Rivers State Government to complement the effort as he draws Governor Fubara’s attention to the urgent need to relocate the correctional facility in Port Harcourt.
On a positive note, the committee is happy with the low level of crime now being recorded in Rivers State.
Governor Sim Fubara says his administration will support the move to relocate the correctional centre in Port Harcourt.
Governor Fubara, who also frowns at the problem of congestion at the correctional centres, says the police and judiciary must efficiently play their roles if the negative trend is to be reversed.
Moving on, the governor uses the opportunity to call on Nigerians to support the administration of President Bola Tinubu so that the country can overcome its many challenges.
He further calls on the National Assembly to be alive to its responsibilities by enacting laws that will help solve the country’s problems.
(Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe)
