NCoS moves to fortify Kuje custodial center

*Floats nationwide housing scheme

The Nigeria Correctional Service, (NCoS), has said that it is revolving around strategies to buffer security at the Kuje Medium Security Correctional Center one of which is the establishment of a staff housing scheme in the area to ensure prompt response and action.

Controller General, (CG), of the Nigeria Correctional Service, (NCoS), Haliru Nababa, made this known at the foundation laying ceremony of a 130 units housing estate in Kango district of Kuje Area Council for officers of the service under the Correctional Service Cooperative Society, (COCOS), Housing Estate, yesterday in Abuja.

He said while insecurity is a major concern, the housing scheme will not only cater for the welfare of staff giving succour in terms of accommodation, but it also serves as a security boost to the nearby Kuje facility.

Nababa noted that “the quantum of achievements recorded by COCOS in providing financial succour to serving, retired as well as deceased staff and their families have been quite inspiring. COCOS has gladly become a reference point to many cooperative societies and pride in the Service.

Furthermore, this occasion among other things stands as an eloquent testimony of a promise made and fulfilled. While delivering my inaugural address to Command Officers on the assumption of duty, I left no one in doubt that the welfare of staff will remain cardinal under my watch.

He said that the project will be replicated in all the geopolitical zones of the country to spread the reach to as many staff members as possible.

“It is particularly gratifying to note that the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), through the activities of COCOS has demonstrated a very strong resolve in attending to the basic welfare needs of staff,” he adds.

Speaking on the importance of the intervention to boosting staff performance and morale, General Manager, COCOS, Controller of Corrections, Lydia Abraham, said that the service through COCOS is set to build the structures from foundation to roofing stage (carcass).

She explained that the estate sits on about 3.2 hectares of land and boasts of a variety of rooms based on the choice and affordability of staff.

“Housing need is an essential need that is why we decided to go into this venture. We have a three bedroom bungalow, three bedroom terrace, two bedroom terrace and we are also going to have one bedroom self-contain and it is open to all staff with an affordable and flexible payment spread through ten to fifteen years”, she said.

According to her, “The Constructions will be supervised by building professionals from the Correctional Service using direct labour method. Upon completion, the structures will be sold to members with programmed payments.”

PICTURE CAPTION; Controller General of the Nigeria Correctional Service, (NCoS), at the foundation laying ceremony of the nationwide scheme, yesterday in Abuja