By Okechukwu Onuegbu
Awka
Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has promised to provide necessary facilities that will improve the living conditions of inmates in the state, to give them sense of belonging.
The governor also assured that he would direct whoever would become his Commissioner for Justice, to immediately review the cases of inmates and ensure speedy administration of justice.
Soludo stated this when he visited Aguata Correctional Center, Ekwulobia, Aguata local government area.
He had during the visit toured round the facilities to ascertain the level of dilapidation and their necessary needs, noting that about 176 inmates were in the centre, and some inmates had stayed on awaiting trial for over 15 years, with many who claimed to be innocent had stayed for years without any legal process.
"As part of onye aghana nwanne ha, I am here to celebrate with you, to tell you I haven't forgotten you. My government is for the downtrodden. In two weeks, I will provide you with recreational facilities to connect you to the world. The first assignment of my Commissioner for Justice is to review your cases to ensure speedy administration of justice."
The State's Comptroller of Correctional Center, Mr. Patrick Chukwuemeka expressed gratitude to the governor as he deemed it necessary to visit and interact with them.
"What we are doing here is transforming lives. It is a different form of transformation from the primitive way of incarceration. We are determined to fashion ways to transform them for better productivity.
" We are ready to partner with you for better development of the state. We will Plead for a better environment to enable the inmate to be successful in the state."