NCoS commends quality of Organic fertiliser at biofertiliser factory

The Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Haliru Nababa, has expressed satisfaction with the quality of granulated organic fertilizers produced at the biofertilizer factory in the Maximum Security Custodial Centre, Port-Harcourt, Rivers.

The commendation comes after the factory was constructed within six months of signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Biofil Technology Nigeria Ltd.

Nababa gave the commendation during a working visit to the biofertilizer factory at the Maximum Security Custodial Centre, Port-Harcourt, a statement by SC Juliet Ofoni, Command Public Relations Officer,Rivers, said on Wednesday.

The visit was to inspect and evaluate the biofertilizer factory and to collect samples for testing in as many Correctional Farm centers as possible.

It was also to procure the same as off-takers for use in farms such as Elele Correction Farm Centre, Port Harcourt.

The Controller General of Corrections (CGC) was represented by the Deputy Controller General of Corrections in the Inmates Training and Productivity (ITP) Directorate, Sylvester Nwakuche.

He expressed satisfaction with the quality of granulated organic fertiliser produced after the factory's construction within 6 months of signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Biofil Technology Nigeria Ltd.

He called on investors to exploit the Public Private Partnership (PPP) window to maximize profit margins by investing in agro-allied ventures in the Nigerian Correctional Service.

He further urged Biofil Technology to ensure that the best was made of the five-year test run tenure given in the MOU, noting that the packaging should carry the NCoS symbol to amplify the essence of the partnership involved.

Earlier, the Controller of Corrections, in charge of Rivers State Command, Felix Lawrence, welcomed the CGC and his entourage to the state.

He appreciated the CGC for approving the construction of the renewable energy system in the center.

According to him, the area was messed with by rodents and waste litter but is now a clean and safe working environment because of the value-added processing of biogas and biofertilizer from inmates’ humongous waste matters.

He also congratulated the untiring supervising officers and men of the state command assigned to the factory for avoiding ineptitude and redundancy, leading to the marked success of the production in the factory.

Contributing, CC Raymond Jatau stated that similar projects were being approved by the CGC across the country for improvement of sanitation and hygiene and enhancement of inmate training and rehabilitation

According to him, the sustainability of the project is the main purpose of the visit of the CGC through the high-power delegation to the site.

He stated that the Nigerian Correctional Officers Wives Association (NICOWA) would be involved in the distribution of the product once the Service procured the quantity its budget could accommodate.

In his brief, the Director of Biofil Technology Nigeria Ltd., Mr. Ibikun Taiwo, appreciated the visit and stated that the MoU ab initio indicated that NCoS would be the sole off-taker.

He said they would buy the produce at a reduced price to preserve the land from further degradation due to the use of inorganic fertilizers.

He promised that for now, 20 inmates would be trained on how to produce biofertilizer within six months to prepare them for reintegration.

On the benefits of the biofertilizer, he said: “The biofertilizer option for NCoS has enormous advantages.

“They include the treatment of waste matter generated in custodial centres and the involvement of retirees in the business of biofertiliser sales.

“The biofertilizers are purely organic and are safe to be used on all types of farms across the country for the production of Organic Foods for healthy living.’’

According to him, sewage is the main raw material for the adoption of a climate-smart agricultural practice in the Correctional Service.

In an interview with the fact-finding committee, an inmate in the production line confirmed that production capacity was about 500 bags of 50kg per day using a staff strength of 20, with 15 Inmates and five instructors working for less than six hours daily.

He said that a higher production volume would have been achieved if three shifts were possible on site.

The site supervisor, SC O. Clifford, said: “Inmates undergo formal training daily by working in the factory to enable them to reintegrate properly into society after they regain their freedom.

The MoU is designed to enable inmates to earn daily, which would be a source of support for their families and dependents outside the Custodial centers.

“Efforts are on top gear to certificate qualified inmates to work with BTNL fertilizer firms when they eventually get discharged out of custody.

Further, records show that the Nigerian Correctional Service commissioned a public-private partnership in Biogas and Liquefied Petroleum gas-operated kitchens at the Maximum Security Custodial Centre, Port Harcourt, in November 2020.

“And today it has graduated to the level of production of bio-fertilizers and gas for renewable energy options of the smart agricultural technology.

The statement said that those who were present at the inspection visit included Assistant Controller General CN Ogwude, in charge ofAgriculture andController of Corrections, and DA Kupan, in charge of Planning, Research, and Statistics.

Also, the Controller of Corrections, RY Jatau from Works and Logistics, and the Deputy Controller of Corrections, KN Abubakar from the Procurement unit

The Incharge Maximum Security Custodial Centre, Port-Harcourt, Deputy Controller of Corrections, EO Etim gave the vote of thanks and wished the committee safe trip back to Abuja.