Lagos State Government has donated vehicles and other equipment to Lagos Prison Services, stressing the need for major reforms to be carried out across the country to decongest prisons.

According to State government, the vehicles which will be delivered to the Prison Services by September, include five Toyota Hilux, five Green Maria and one Ambulance.

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, who made the donation when he received a delegation from the Nigeria Prison Services, Lagos Command, led by the Controller, Tunde Ladipo, at his residence in Epe, said the donation was his administration’s contributions to making the prisons more conducive.

Ambode expressed concern that Lagos was also having its fair share of congestion as over seventy percent of inmates across prisons in the State were awaiting trial.

He assured that the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy would look into some of the cases of inmates and see the possibility of granting official pardon to prisoners who have shown remorse, good behaviour and readiness to contribute meaningfully to the society.

Governor Ambode also directed the Special Adviser on Primary Healthcare, Olufemi Onanuga to provide adequate health services for all for the prisons in the State so as to prevent any outbreak of diseases.

“Once a city is safe, people will be more productive and it also means more revenue will come into the State,” he said.

Earlier, Ladipo, said the visit was to remind the Governor of their requests for some vehicles and equipment to enhance their capacity to effectively transport and secure inmates awaiting trail to the courts, some of which the Governor granted at the visit.