The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, PhD, CFR, has renovated the administrative block of the Umuahia Correctional Centre in Abia State, as part of his ongoing commitment to institutional support and humanitarian service.

The renovation, which involved the re-roofing and re-ceiling of the facility, was a direct response to an appeal made by the former State Controller of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), Mrs. Josephine Ogbeifun, during a courtesy visit to Kalu in May 2025.

The Deputy Speaker’s swift intervention has not only improved the working conditions of the centre’s staff but also created a safer and more conducive environment for inmates who had been exposed to harsh weather conditions due to the facility’s dilapidated state.

In addition to the renovation, Kalu also paid the fines of over 15 inmates at the Umuahia and Aba Correctional Centres to aid their release and help decongest the facilities. This gesture has been widely commended as an act of compassion and commitment to rehabilitation and reintegration.

In a letter dated July 4, 2025, the Controller-General of the Nigeria Correctional Service, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, MFR, Mni, conveyed his appreciation to the Deputy Speaker