The Kwara State governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq visited and inspected the long abandoned Juvenile Remand Home, Oko Erin which is in an obsolescence state not different from several other government owned facilities across the state inherited from the previous adminstration.
The Officer-In-Charge of the Juvenile Remand Home took the governor round the dilapidated facilities and explained the difficulties they have been facing in managing the inmates sent by the court ranging from lack of security to non availability of quality water.
A staff at the Juvenile Home lamented the lack of security for safety of lives and properties within the home. He furthered that only local security men are presently employed.
The staff explained to the governor that they have always complained bitterly to the previous administration and the court in particular that the facilities at the Juvenile Remand Home is not well at all to accommodate any inmates if the aim is to rehabilitate them but the response they always get from the court is that the Juvenile Remand Home along Oko-Erin is the only recognized Juvenile Home in Kwara State and as such they were forced to receive the inmates regardless.
Gov AbdulRazaq haven seen the facilities at the Juvenile Remand Home promised that actions will be taken to revive the Remand Home and ensure that inmates are appropriately confined and rehabilitated to become purposeful citizens.
AbdulRazaq also proceeded to visit the Children Reception Centre, along Pipeline, Ilorin. The governor was conducted round the facilities by the Officer-In-Charge, Mrs. Yemisi Adetutu Bello. The governor assessed thoroughly, the facilities housing the children at the centre with the aim of giving it the lacking owner’s touch which was visible from the decrepit state he met it.
Mrs. Yemisi said the little improvement of the centre and contributions they get are from NGOs and some independent donors. She complained about the high degree of abandonment experienced during the past administrations.
The governor who was accompanied by Arch. Kale Belgore to the two places he visited promised that his administration will immediately swift into action to ensure adequate and proper attention are given to the Juvenile Remand Home and the Children Reception Centre in the spirit and consciousness of a new and better Kwara that will continue to put smiles on all faces in the state.
