Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie lkpeazu has assured the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) of the State Government’s partnership and assistance in providing training expertise and materials that will ensure the success of its proposed shoe and garment industry.
Dr lkpeazu gave the assurance during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Shoe and Garment lndustry at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Aba.
He described the proposed project as an added impetus to the promotion of entrepreneural skills for the teeming youths in the State by the present administration.
Represented by his Deputy, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu, the Governor, while expressing delight over the recognition of NCS of Abia State as headquarters for SMES development with emphasis on shoe and garment production, commended the Ministry of Interior for changing the narratives of the Nigerian Correctional Services by ensuring that inmates acquire skills and added education that would make them better persons in the Society.
He further reaffirmed the State Government’s resolve to continue promoting and championing made in Aba and Nigerian products to meet up with global best practices and lauded them for initiating the project, promising to always provide the enabling environment for the project to thrive.
In an address, the Controller General of Corrections, Acting controller General John Mrabure represented by the Zonal Coordinator, Zone E, Owerri, Assistant Controller General Victor Chiabua described the event as a significant step forward in the Nigerian Correctional Service determination to promote credible services through penal practices by providing lasting changes in offender’s attitude, values and behavior to ensure their successful reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration into Society through acquisition of knowledge and skills that will enable them earn a living and shun crime upon leaving the Custodial Centres.
He disclosed that the proposed Shoe and Garment lndustry when completed will train both staff and inmates in shoe and garment making, produce staff and inmate’s uniforms and other uniform agencies, generate an estimated five billion naira annually as well as create employment and reduce poverty in Nigeria and solicit the assistance of Government in the area of logistics to enable them achieve success.
Earlier, the Controller of Corrections, Abia State Command, Ezugwu Julius said the project, which is a public private partnership with Ejorim Investment limited for the expansion and upgrading of the existing shoe and garment factory in the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Aba, pledged the support and commitment of the State Command towards the realization of the noble goals of the project.
The event featured the inspection of items produced by inmates of the Correctional Service by the Governor’s representative, top Government officials and officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service and other stakeholders on Security Matters.
Comments are closed.