The Federal Government on Thursday disclosed that it has budgeted about N22.4 billion for the feeding of 75,607 inmates across all correctional centres nationwide.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, made this known during a two-day High-level conference on corrections and decongestion of custodial centres in Abuja.
Belgore, who hinted that the funds required was already budgeted for in the 2023 Appropriation Act, claimed that the trajectory of the population in the correctional centres has hit all time high with at least 80 per cent of the inmates awaiting trial.
Belgore said: “The Federal Government budgeted N22.44 billion in the 2023 appropriation to cater for the feeding of inmates. Failure to take action to decongest the custodial centres will come at a cost.”
He also raised concerns over the overpopulation of the correctional centres, which is taking a toll on the revenue of the Federal Government.
Belgore said: “The effects of overcrowding in the custodial centres have led to huge revenue drain for the Federal Government.
“Dilapidation of the centres, criminalisation of the society and the inability to separate awaiting trial inmates from convicted persons.”
