Food contractors supplying meals to inmates in various correctional facilities across Nigeria have expressed frustration over the Federal Government’s failure to clear outstanding debts reportedly exceeding N30 billion.
As reported by PUNCH, some of the affected contractors, who provide daily meals under the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), said they have not been paid for several months, with an estimated N7.7 billion debt dating back to late 2023.
They also faulted the government for failing to implement the new feeding rate that was approved more than a year ago.
Despite the approval to increase the daily feeding allowance for each inmate from N750 to N1,125 in August 2024, the contractors said payments are still being made using the old rate, creating an additional shortfall of about N23 billion.
The reviewed allowance was approved by the Presidency to reflect current market realities and the rising cost of food items following the removal of fuel subsidy. It was meant to take effect from August 1, 2024, to improve the quality of meals and ease the burden on suppliers.
However, more than a year later, the contractors lamented that the reviewed rate remains unimplemented, forcing them to continue operations under difficult financial conditions.
Checks by PUNCH revealed that the NCoS owes contractors roughly N7.7 billion for October, November, and December 2023 alone. When combined with the unpaid balance from the feeding rate adjustment, the total debt is estimated to have climbed to about N30.7 billion.
Speaking anonymously for fear of victimisation, some of the suppliers described the situation as unbearable.
“We have not been paid for months, yet we are expected to feed thousands of inmates every day,” one of the contractors said. “Banks are already threatening to seize the properties we used as collateral. Some of our colleagues have lost everything.”
Another contractor lamented that many of them now rely on expensive bank loans to sustain deliveries.
“We are feeding inmates at our own cost. We keep hearing assurances that the new rate will soon be implemented, but nothing has changed. We can’t continue like this,” he said.
Efforts to get comments from the NCoS spokesperson, Umar Abubakar, proved unsuccessful as he neither took calls nor replied to messages sent to him as of press time.
However, a senior officer of the Service, who confirmed the development, warned that the situation could affect the quality and quantity of meals served to inmates.
“Yes, it’s true. The contractors have discussed the matter with the CG, but it appears to be beyond his control. The real problem is that the Ministry of Finance has not released the funds, and only the amount disbursed can be paid to the contractors,” the officer said.
He cautioned that if the issue persists, it could trigger unrest within correctional centres.
“Feeding is central to the peace and stability of any correctional facility. If contractors withdraw their services because of unpaid debts, it could lead to serious tension among inmates. The security implications are enormous,” he added.