Governor Samuel Ortom set to pardon 28 inmates at the Federal Correctional Centre, Makurdi, under the State Prerogative of Mercy to mark the end of his government.
The governor made this position known while playing host to the new Controller of the Federal Correctional Centre, Makurdi, Mrs Mary Oche, during a courtesy visit.
He lamented that some of those serving various jail terms were victims of circumstances while the real criminals are walking the streets and enjoying unmerited freedom.
According to the governor, failure of Federal Government to come out with a clear policy on parenting have paved the way for people to bear a number of unnecessary children they could not adequately cater for.
“As a result, most of such children have been thrown into the streets where their reasoning were corrupted in their prime.”
He expressed the fear that in about a decade to come, the people of Nigeria will overtake the Republic of China if measures are not in place to check the trend given the accerating population growth of the country.
“I have a passion for the inmates even before becoming the governor. Let me call on men and Officers of the centre to support the new Controller to succeed in her assignment.”
He promised Government’s sustained support, especially that the new Controller, Mrs Oche, is an indigene of Benue State.
Earlier, the new Controller, Mrs Oche, acknowledged support of governor Samuel Ortom to the centre including provision of hostel block for 146 inmates, feeding and assisting in entrepreneurship training.
She appealed for provision of transformer for constant power supply at the centre and other logistic assistance.
