NBA-SPIDEL donates solar-powered borehole to Uyo custodial centre

The Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) has donated a solar-powered borehole to the Uyo Custodial Centre to improve water supply and the welfare of inmates.

The donation was made on Thursday during a visit to the correctional facility.

Speaking at the event, NBA-SPIDEL Chairman, Dr Uju Agomoh, said the intervention was part of the association’s commitment to promoting the welfare and human rights of inmates.

Agomoh explained that the borehole would help address the persistent water supply challenges at the centre.

She noted that the decision to provide a solar-powered facility followed an earlier visit to the centre on December 1, 2025, during the association’s week-long conference in Akwa Ibom State.

“During our visit, water was identified as a major challenge. We also discovered that irregular electricity supply was the root cause, so we decided to provide a permanent solution through a solar-powered borehole,” she said.

She also pledged that NBA-SPIDEL would offer free legal services to 115 inmates at the custodial centre. Agomoh urged the authorities and inmates to ensure proper management and maintenance of the facility for optimal use.

In his remarks, the Controller of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) in Akwa Ibom State, Mr Theophilus Okoka, described the donation as timely and well-intended, noting that access to water was critical to hygiene and the overall welfare of inmates.

“This solar-powered borehole is dear to our hearts. It will significantly ease water scarcity, reduce operational stress, and improve living conditions in this facility,” Okoka said.

He called on other stakeholders to emulate NBA-SPIDEL by supporting the centre in various ways.

Earlier, the Officer-in-Charge of the Uyo Custodial Centre, Dr Ezekiel Inyang, commended the association for the gesture and assured that the facility would be properly maintained and responsibly used.

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