Defence
THE Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) has unveiled a comprehensive vision aimed at significantly enhancing staff welfare and operational efficiency.
The acting Controller General, NCoS, Sylvester Nwakuche who outlined the vision during his inaugural meeting with senior officers on Monday in Abuja emphasised the need for a holistic approach to staff welfare and operational reform.
The NCoS boss, however, pledged to provide a conducive work environment, competitive compensation packages, and regular training opportunities to boost staff morale and productivity.
“Staff welfare will be a primary consideration in my administration. Without the human element, even technological deployment will suffer setbacks.
“There is no gainsaying that staff presently suffer untold hardship in terms of accommodation as the vast majority live in either unbefitting houses or completely squalid make-shift shelters.
“We shall respond by embarking on vigorous barrack rehabilitation and constructing new ones where required.
“Prompt promotion of qualified personnel and corresponding salary placement will be done without undue delay. You will agree with me that salaries have been improved. We will do more.
“The acute shortage of personnel, which has resulted in staff deployment on 18-hour non-stop duty, will also be addressed by stepping up discussions with relevant authorities for the recruitment of more personnel.
“Meanwhile, Mr. President has approved the recruitment of some personnel and medical staff in order to boost the workforce,” he said.
The NCoS boss maintained that the service was poised to become a more efficient, effective, and humane correctional service, delivering better results for inmates, staff, and the nation.
Nwakuche assured that the service would strengthen its partnership with the Ministry of Interior and other stakeholders to address the challenges facing the service.
This, he said, would include exploring innovative solutions to improve operational efficiency.
“No less attention shall be given to regular training of staff to equip them with skills to respond adequately to security and offenders’ rehabilitation dynamics.
“We intend to make our training institutions more conducive for courses, while curriculum of activities would soon be reviewed to align with contemporary realities.
“The engagement of seasoned retired Officers of the NCoS to complement our teaching and directing staff resource persons is already ongoing.
Nwakuche commended the interior Minister for the significant steps he took within a space of one year in office to improve staff welfare especially in the areas of promotion.
This, he said included areas of security approval for recruitment of personnel including Doctors and Nurses, payment of Consolidated Salaries to Deputy Controllers-General of Corrections and above.
“Others are payment of peculiar allowances; payment of over N585m fines for indigent inmates; introduction of cameras and security gadgets in some of our major Custodial Centres; et cetera,”he said.
The NCoS boss announced plans to recognise and honour dedicated officers who have consistently demonstrated exceptional commitment to their duties.
Nwakuche said that the move was aimed at boosting morale and motivating officers to continue delivering exceptional services to inmates and the public.
He, however, praised the vast majority of officers who remained professional and dedicated to providing excellent services to inmates.
“These vanguards have continued to deploy their energy and resources to promote excellent services to the inmates.
“Especially in the areas of humane custody, healthcare services, counselling, educational opportunities, vocational skills acquisition, to mention but a few.
“I have ordered the development of a template for appropriate recognition and honour for this class of officers, and the process is to commence immediately.
” We must draw strength from these words as we work tirelessly to further reform our institution,” he said.(NAN)
Photo Caption: Field officers of the Nigeria Correctional Service NCoS
13th January, 2025.
C.E.
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