The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) has begun moves to collaborate with the Ministry of Livestock Development to boost productivity and improve Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
According to the public relations officer of the NCoS, Deputy Controller of Corrections, Umar Abubakar, the partnership hoped to leverage on manpower and skills of inmates who are being trained to become self-sufficient and contribute meaningfully to livestock development after their terms have been served.
He said farming, livestock development and other ventures have become parts of the reformatory policy of the Correctional Service to enhance output and for self development amongst inmates.
Abubakar said to achieve this, the Acting Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, paid a landmark visit to the Minister of Livestock Development, Dr Idi Mukhtar Maiha in his office in Abuja.
He added that the visit also aimed “to explore groundbreaking collaboration in the quest to harness the vast NCoS farm lands into viable economic hubs.”
Abubakar disclosed that the Acting Controller-General explained various agricultural projects embarked upon by the NCoS to the Minister and sought areas of partnerships with the Ministry.
He said the NCoS have agricultural projects and production activities spread across the Country, while seeking strategic partnership with the Ministry to reposition the farm centers for greater productivity.
“The Corrections farms formed parts of the reformatory efforts of the Service to give inmates a lifetime opportunity upon their discharge”, he said in a statement issued in Abuja.
The Minister acknowledged the efforts of the Acting Controller-General, saying that the visit was not only well thought out, but would provide a solid foundation for enduring partnerships between the Ministry and the Correctional Service.
He expressed delight in the partnership, and said he is very excited in exploring the NCoS agricultural assets as it offers labour and secured farmlands to harness.
The Minister praised the visionary leadership of the Acting Controller-General, while pledging the Ministry’s support towards actualizing the mandates of the Service through the strategic partnership. (TheNation)