Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has restated the commitment of his administration to partner with the Nigerian Prisons Service to address some of the challenges affecting the prisons system in the State.The Governor, who spoke through the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Tunji Bello, during a study visit of delegates from the Nigerian Prisons Service Academy, Ijebu Igbo, Ogun State, added that the State Government is willing to collaborate with them in meeting some of their demands and enabling them to live up to expectations in the State.
He informed that despite the State Government’s awareness that the Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison and Ikoyi Prison have become overpopulated as well as unsuitable for the present locations, the State Government cannot relocate them without the consent of the Federal Government.
Ambode stressed that the State Government’s desire to relocate the prisons to places like Badagry, Ikorodu and Epe axis where vacant land exists was made unachievable by the refusal of the last government at the centre. He explained that a clear example was the reforms that the State Government introduced in the Judiciary which not only improved welfare packages of judicial officers but strengthened the institution against corruption.
The Governor stated that since the inception of Democracy, the Government has continued to develop infrastructure in the State because the present administration places so much value on human capital and ensures everything works for all citizens in a bid to reduce crime in the society. Earlier in his Speech, the Commandant of Prisons Academy, Ijebu-Igbo, and the head of the team Ag. ACG Benson Oluwayiopese stated that Lagos was chosen as a place to visit because the State has become the leading light in the comity of States with a great leader behind its success story.
He added that the achievements that have been recorded by the present Administration resonate across the world. The Commandant thereafter presented a plaque titled “Exemplary Leadership Award” to the Governor through the SSG, Mr. Tunji Bello.