By Solomon OKPO
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has pledged to partner with the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCS) to rehabilitate dilapidated correctional facilities and improve the welfare of inmates across Akwa Ibom State.
The assurance was given on Wednesday by the Akwa Ibom State Representative on the NDDC Governing Board, Apostle Abasiandikan Nkono, when he received the State Controller of Corrections, CC Theophilus Okoka, and senior officers of the Nigeria Correctional Service during a working visit to the NDDC State Office in Uyo.
Apostle Nkono said the Commission remains committed to strengthening security, promoting human capital development and implementing social intervention programmes across the Niger Delta.
He stressed that the Correctional Service, as a critical security institution, deserves the Commission’s support, noting that its intervention extends beyond physical infrastructure to improving lives. He urged the Correctional Service to formally submit its requests, assuring that the NDDC State Office would forward them to the Commission’s management for consideration.
Earlier, Controller Okoka appealed for urgent intervention in the Uyo, Eket and Ikot Abasi custodial centres, lamenting severe overcrowding and deteriorating infrastructure.
He disclosed that the Uyo Correctional Centre, built to accommodate 613 inmates, currently houses more than 1,000 inmates. He requested support in the provision of solar-powered lighting, potable water, vocational training equipment, mattresses and beddings, while inviting NDDC officials to inspect the facilities firsthand.
The Controller explained that although the centres operate vocational workshops in trades such as carpentry, barbing, hairdressing and shoemaking, inadequate tools have limited effective skills acquisition for inmates. He also commended the Akwa Ibom State Chief Judge for facilitating the recent release of 101 inmates on health and other compassionate grounds.
Highlighting reforms under his administration, Okoka said inmates have been sponsored to sit for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), while others are pursuing higher education through the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), with some advancing to doctoral studies. He added that the Command is collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity to certify inmates who complete vocational training programmes.
In his vote of thanks, the NDDC State Director, Engr. Evong Evong, appreciated the Correctional Service delegation for the visit and reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to building a productive partnership aimed at addressing the challenges confronting correctional centres in Akwa Ibom State.
