FIC Report (Edo State) – The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), on Wednesday, 12th Of March, 2025, made a significant contribution to the Benin Correctional Facility by donating mattresses, drugs, and mats for the benefit of the inmates. Alongside these donations, the Agency also renovated the facility’s water borehole and installed solar lights, showcasing a committed effort to enhance the living conditions for those incarcerated.
This initiative, carried out in partnership with Peace and Development Projects, Velma Foundation, Benioni Akpa Development Foundation, and Lov Network Foundation, aims not only to improve inmate welfare but also to combat overcrowding within the prison system. Mr. Mathias Ovie, representing the collaborating NGOs, noted that part of this initiative involves securing the release of indigent inmates convicted of minor offenses by facilitating their payment of fines.
The NDDC’s efforts are geared towards alleviating the pressures on correctional facilities in the Niger Delta while fostering opportunities for rehabilitation and reintegration into society for deserving inmates. Ovie detailed that the donations include essential items designed to enhance the well-being of inmates, as well as new tires for operational vehicles belonging to the correctional facilities to ensure their effective operation.
Ovie highlighted that the NDDC is committed to improving life quality in the Niger Delta not only through infrastructure projects but also through initiatives focused on human welfare. He stated that by collaborating with esteemed organizations, the NDDC is reinforcing its mission to create sustainable, positive change within the region’s correctional facilities.
Comrade Mathias Ovie emphasized that this project reflects the NDDC’s dedication to advancing peace, justice, and overall well-being for the Niger Delta populace. The initiative aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, ensuring that the vulnerable members of the community benefit directly from these efforts.
“This project is a testament to NDDC continued efforts in promoting peace, justice, and the well-being of the people in the Niger Delta,”
Continuing, “We believe that by addressing the issue of overcrowding in our correctional centers and improving the conditions of the inmates, NDDC is contributing to the overall development of tge region and ensuring that the Renewed Hope Agenda Of President Tinubu administration is reaching the indigent members of the Region.”
In response to the donation, Mrs. Idowu Enodiakemen, Deputy Controller of Corrections at the Medium Security Custodian, expressed gratitude to the NDDC and its partners for this generous initiative, recognizing its potential to provide relief to thousands of inmates and enhance the capabilities of correctional centers in delivering effective rehabilitation services.”
Signed:
Egwaoje Amarachi Linda
FIC, Benin City
March 13, 2025
