May 15, 2018

Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau has directed the state’s owned Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (PLASMEDA) to include the inmates of Jos prisons in the next round of its empowerment programme.

Lalong gave the directive on Tuesday in Jos when he received in his office Mr Daniel Odharo, the Controller of Prisons, Plateau State Command.

According to the governor, since prisons are basically for reformation, it has become imperative to empower the inmates with skills.

“The prisons are established to reform people, and empowerment is part of reformation.

“So, I will direct our PLASMEDA to ensure prison inmates are captured in its next round of empowerment programme.
“Prisoners need to be equipped with various skills so that by the time they are out of jail, they will be useful to themselves and the society as a whole,” he said.

The governor also reaffirmed his support and commitment to the welfare of the prison formations in the state and pledged constant and timely intervention to its needs.

He expressed his satisfaction with the ongoing revolution in the service, particularly in the areas of inmates’ reformation and facility upgrade.

The governor also commended the authorities of the prisons for providing operational vehicles and the equipping of their farm centres with modern equipment.

Earlier, the Controller of Prisons, Mr Daniel Odharo, had commended the state government for supporting the state command through the provision of food items and welfare needs for inmates.

He said that the government had also undertaken the payment of fines in order to secure the release of some inmates thus decongesting the prisons.

Odharo also commended the governor for the provision of laptops to the prison.

He said this would facilitate its commencement of the National Open University of Nigeria’s (NOUN) Special Study Centre in Jos Prison.

According to him, the state has also provided an operational vehicle to aid the discharge of its duties in the state.

The controller reassured the governor of the command’s commitment to work for a safer society where development will thrive.