Solicitor general blames inefficiency in NPS on outdated laws
September 27, 2012 18:25
NAN-H-123
Prisons
Abuja, Sept. 27, 2012 (NAN) The Solicitor General of the Federation, Alhaji Abdullahi Yola, on Thursday in Abuja blamed the inefficiency in the Nigerian Prisons Service on the outdated laws guiding its operation.
Yola made this known at the official presentation of the 2011 revised edition of the Nigerian Prisons Service Standing Orders.
He noted that the outdated laws were incapable of solving problems of the 21st century.
The solicitor general, who is also the Chairman of the Federal Justice Sector Reform Coordinating Committee, described the revision of the orders as a major breakthrough.
He said the revised edition would provide solution to the numerous challenges faced by the service in the delivery of its duties.
``If you go back to the laws, we have archaic laws in this country guiding the operation of the Nigerian Prisons Service.
``These laws cannot really solve the problem of the 21st century and that is why we now have a standing committee that is working on reviewing these laws.
`` What we are now doing is to apply strategic approach in solving the problems faced by the service,’’ he said.
He called on major stakeholders to collaborate with the justice sector and prisons service in finding lasting solution to prison congestion and other challenges facing the service.
According to him, there is a need for collaboration among stakeholders, including the police, judges and the private sector.
``We have to sit down and really look at the problems and see how we can forge ahead in the sector.
``Mind you we are dealing with a sector that has myriad of problems apart from the issue of decongestion of prisons.
``We should change the law and there is a need for continuous education of all stakeholders like judges, the police and the prison service.
``I belief that if these practical steps are taken within the next one year, there will be tremendous changes in the spirit of the transformation agenda of the president.’’
Mr Zakari Ibrahim, the Controller General of Prisons, described the revision as a major breakthrough in the history of the service in the country.
According to him, attempts made in previous years to review the order failed, leaving the service with no option than to operate the 1961 order.
He commended the Federal Government for setting up the committee to review the outdated document and expressed optimism that the revised edition would impact on service delivery. (NAN)
CJM/NOL/OFN
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