Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara has pledged to grant pardons to inmates with minor offences as part of measures to decongest correctional centres in the state.

Mr Lawal announced the plan on Wednesday in Gusau while hosting the State Controller of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS).

He said the state government would settle minor debts that led to the imprisonment of some inmates to secure their release.

“Many inmates are in custody because they cannot pay such debts.”

“The state will also pardon inmates nearing the end of their terms and those who have shown genuine remorse,” the governor said.

According to Mr Lawal, the main objective is to decongest the facilities and speed up justice delivery.

On infrastructure, the governor pledged to upgrade facilities at the Gusau Correctional Centre, improve its skills acquisition unit, and enhance accommodation, water supply, and mobility for personnel.

He assured that relevant officials would follow up and implement all plans to enable service personnel to perform their duties with ease.

The controller in the state, Mohammed Juta, thanked Mr Lawal for the gesture, describing it as a morale booster that would help restore law and order in Zamfara.

Mr Lawal’s administration had extended a similar gesture to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), where the state government refurbished serviceable operational vehicles.

The state government is also constructing offices and providing accommodation for personnel of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to ensure optimum service delivery.

 (NAN)