‘Prison’ service hotel not funded by FG – Spokesman

According to the Nigerian Correctional Service, federal government funding was not received for the Correctional Service Multi-Purpose Co-operative Society "Hotel and Gardens" project.

The NCoS Cooperative Society invested in the hotel, according to Umar Abubakar, Public Relations Officer and Assistant Controller of Corrections, who made the announcement to the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday in Abuja.

In response to criticism of the facilities, Abubakar stated that the hotel was solely concerned with the well-being of its employees on the company's official Facebook page.

The Nigerian Correctional Service Hotel and the notorious prisons in the country have been compared by Nigerians.

There are reports that many correctional facilities currently operate below the highest standards.

Abubakar underlined that it was the result of effective planning and strategic thinking on the part of the agency‘s cooperative unit.
The "COCOS Hotels and Gardens" were opened on March 1, 2021, by the former interior minister, Rauf Aregbesola, according to Abubakar, who questioned why anyone would oppose significant expenditures.

The Correctional Cooperative Society is the only owner of the aforementioned hotel, which was constructed in 2021, just to be clear.

"For all Service workers, the Cooperative Society was founded and organised in 1996.

"Situated along Bill Clinton Drive Airport Road, Abuja, the aforementioned hotel has been operational since its creation in 2021.

He said, "COCOS owns the hotel and manages it as a corporate entity in terms of funding and day-to-day administration."

The Cooperative Society, according to Abubakar, also ran a Microfinance Bank that provided financial support to both serving and retired personnel.
He clarified that the goal was to enhance employee wellbeing by offering soft loans and other financial services.

In addition, he stated that the Cooperative Society had provided retired and deceased staff with a safety net, and that individuals who were fired from their jobs were refunded their rightful benefits once they disengaged.
All of these entitlement payments to beneficiaries are current as of right now.

"The Cooperative Society has purchased residential properties, giving employees—both active and retired—the chance to own their own homes hassle-free.

According to the spokesperson, "the hotel has so far given job opportunities for many youths and attracted commendations from dignitaries both within and outside."

The SPRO encouraged the general public to stay at the hotel because it offered top-notch services at affordable costs.

Additionally, before publishing, he asked news media to verify the sources of their information about the NCoS through the PRO and other official channels.