The Anambra State Government is set to build juvenile prison in Umunze, Orumba South Local Government of the state.

The facility it was learnt would serve as a correctional institution for people in conflict with the law.

Speaking during an inspection tour and handover of the acquired land for the construction of the facility, the Commissioner for Children and Women’s Affairs, Ndidi Mezue, hailed the community for providing the land.

She also thanked Josephine Onah of the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption of the European Union for initiating the process of securing the site.

Mezue gave assurance of government’s partnership with RoLAC in developing the project, saying that her ministry would soon clear the site to begin perimeter fencing of the facility.

According to her, other ministries would have roles to play in the development of the physical structure at the centre as well as the setting up of a committee that would plan the development of the facility and forward reports to Governor Willie Obiano for implementation.

She explained that the state had before now had issues on where to keep children who had been found guilty of crimes or picked from the streets.

On his part, ROLAC Consultant, Dr Ifediora Orakwe, said the centre would be a school and skill acquisition centre for minors, who might have committed crime as a result of peer group influence and could be easily rehabilitated to become functional members of the society.

The President General of the community, John Akanyeonu, in his speech said the community resolved to donate the piece of land as part of its contribution towards the development strides of the Willie Obiano administration.

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