President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday in Abuja underscored the importance of correction in a virile justice system.
The president spoke at the virtual inauguration of a 3,000-Capacity Ultra-Modern Custodial Centre, Janguza , Kano State,
He said: “The importance of a viable Correctional Service is critical, not only for executing court sentences thereby completing the justice process but also for keeping felons out of circulation, securing the society and deterring those who intend to act in an anti-social manner.
“This facility will not only enhance the well-being of inmates but will engender their safe custody and significantly address the challenge of over-crowding in some Custodial Centres.”
Buhari said that the spate of violent, external attacks on some Custodial Centres across the country in the recent past underscored the need to fortify and take the security of the inmates and staff to be of utmost importance.
In his remarks, the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola described the event as a watershed as it highlighted the commitment of the Buhari-led administration to fulfilling its promise of delivering on good governance to all Nigerians, especially on security.
He added that the Nigerian Correctional Service Act of 2019 signed by the President effectively rebranded the service.
Aregbesola disclosed that the idea of “a model high-capacity custodial centre was mooted and approved for the six geo-political regions of the country in the first tenure of the outgoing administration.
He added: ”It was basically to address the serious infrastructure deficit the Service has had to grapple with.”
According to the minister, the project is also intended to solve the problem of over-crowding, especially in the custodial centres located in urban areas.
Aregbesola called on State Governments to “collaborate with the Federal Government in ensuring a smooth transition occasioned by the recent amendment in our constitution to take responsibility for the maintenance of their inmates in our facilities.”
Also speaking at the virtual inauguration of projects of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace in Kano and Kaduna, the president said his administration had placed a high premium on the safety, security and efficiency on air transportation.
This, he said, was the reason behind the robust Aviation Road map which had been successfully implemented
The affected aviation projects include: New Airport Terminal Building at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano State and Aircraft Equipment at Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria, Kaduna State.
The president said his administration had placed a high premium on the safety, security and efficiency on air transportation which was the reason behind the robust Aviation Road map which had been successfully implemented.
According to him, this had resulted in huge growth in the sector, making aviation one of the fastest growing sectors of the economy before COVID-19, according to National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
Buhari also inaugurated the Nigerian Navy Logistics College Dawakin Tofa, Kano State, which was relocated two years ago from the Nigerian Navy Finance and Logistics College at Owerrinta in Imo.
He commended the college for boosting capacity development of naval logistical experts within the period.
Buhari expressed his belief that the college would “undoubtedly contribute to the operational readiness of the naval fleet for economic prosperity.”
The president said that the College had been effective in the conduct of Internal Security along with other security agencies within her Area of Operations.
In his remarks, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace, Sen. Hadi Sirika, said the New Airport Terminal Building at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport had the capacity to process seven million passengers in one year.
He said, ”the commitment of Buhari to the Aviation sector is unparalleled.”
Sirika also declared that the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria, had produced 70 per ceent of the aviation workforce in the country since its establishment in 1963. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
SYC/BRM
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Edited by Bashir Rabe
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