By Isaiah Eka
Uyo, Dec. 18, 2025 (NAN) In a move that underscores a growing, pragmatic approach to justice reform, the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) has commissioned a solar-powered borehole facility at the Uyo Custodial Centre. This intervention addresses a critical infrastructural deficit while highlighting the broader, often overlooked, link between human dignity, basic amenities, and the administration of justice.
During the handover ceremony, NBA-SPIDEL Chairman, Dr. Uju Agomoh, framed the donation as a fundamental act of promoting inmate welfare. “This water facility is our organization’s tangible commitment to upholding the dignity and well-being of those in custody,” she stated. The project directly targets the severe and persistent challenge of unreliable water supply, a condition that exacerbates health risks, compromises hygiene, and creates daily hardship for inmates and staff alike.
Dr. Agomoh revealed that the initiative was a direct response to a specific request made by the centre’s authorities during NBA-SPIDEL’s visit on December 1st, coinciding with their week-long conference in Akwa Ibom. “Water was highlighted as a paramount challenge,” she explained. “Our subsequent assessment identified unreliable electricity as the root cause of the water scarcity. Therefore, we opted for a sustainable, off-grid solution: this solar-powered borehole. It represents a permanent fix, independent of the public power grid.”
Beyond infrastructure, Dr. Agomoh announced a parallel intervention crucial to the core mandate of the legal profession: the provision of free legal services to 115 inmates at the facility. This dual approach—addressing immediate humanitarian needs while tackling the legal bottlenecks that may have led to incarceration—exemplifies a holistic model of public interest lawyering. She urged the centre’s management and the inmate population to adopt a strong maintenance culture to ensure the project’s longevity and optimal utility.
In his response, the Controller of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) Command in Akwa Ibom, Mr. Theophilus Okoka, lauded the donation as “timely and well-intended.” He emphasized the non-negotiable role of water in maintaining hygiene, health, and overall humane living conditions. “This solar-powered borehole is dear to our hearts,” Okoka said. “It will significantly ease operational stress, reduce the burden of water scarcity, and tangibly enhance the living environment within this facility.” He described the project as a fulfilled promise and called on other corporate and civil society stakeholders to emulate NBA-SPIDEL’s model of targeted, collaborative support.
The Officer-in-Charge of the Uyo Custodial Centre, Dr. Ezekiel Inyang, also commended the gesture and pledged the centre’s commitment to the diligent upkeep of the facility.
Analysis & Context: This donation transcends mere charity. It represents a strategic intervention by a key legal body into the often-neglected arena of correctional centre conditions. Overcrowding and poor infrastructure in many Nigerian custodial facilities are well-documented, contributing to human rights concerns. By solving the electricity-water nexus with solar technology, NBA-SPIDEL provides a replicable model for sustainable development in public institutions. Furthermore, coupling this with pro bono legal aid addresses both the symptom (poor living conditions) and potential causes (protracted detention, access to justice) of the crisis within the correctional system. This action sets a precedent for how professional associations can leverage their expertise and resources for multifaceted public interest impact. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Azubuike Okeh
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