Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has announced renewed efforts to identify minor offenders in correctional centres across the state for possible pardon as part of his administration’s end of year interventions. Speaking during the November edition of his monthly media interaction in Umuahia on Friday, Otti outlined a series of security, infrastructure and welfare programmes being implemented to enhance safety and improve the well being of residents.

The governor revealed that he recently met with the Zonal Commandant of the Nigerian Correctional Service to review state support for correctional facilities. He noted that although the Service is a federal agency, the welfare of inmates affects residents directly. According to him, the state has constructed perimeter fencing and is building a one storey holding centre to ease congestion. He emphasised that the aim is rehabilitation, not expanding detention capacity: “The idea is not to keep more people there, but to ensure that those who enter the centre do not come out as hardened criminals.”

Otti disclosed that previous attempts to grant pardon through the prerogative of mercy had failed due to the absence of eligible minor offenders among the over 1900 inmates in the state’s correctional centres. He has now directed the Correctional Service to conduct a fresh review to determine whether any inmates qualify for pardon as the year draws to a close. He also urged residents to remain vigilant throughout the festive season, assuring that the government is working closely with security agencies and relying heavily on intelligence sharing.

The governor further highlighted several recent achievements, including the arrival of electric buses that will soon begin operations to reduce transportation costs. He confirmed the sealing of some business premises after due legal process in a renewed effort to boost internally generated revenue. Additionally, Otti announced improved welfare for NYSC members, raising their monthly allowance from N4000 to between N20000 and N50000 depending on posting, and ongoing upgrades to the Bende NYSC camp. He also reiterated his administration’s commitment to clearing the state’s verified N60 billion gratuity backlog and acquiring the electricity distribution network in Umuahia and surrounding local government areas to distribute excess power generated in Aba.