Britain to start work on new Kirikiri wing as part of prisoner exchange programme with Nigeria

BRITAIN is to begin the construction of a new wing at the Kirikiri Prison in Lagos shortly as it looks to implement an agreement it entered into with Nigeria in 2014 regarding prisoner exchange.

Under the terms of the deal, the UK agreed to transfer Nigerian prisoners serving time in UK jails to Nigeria where they can serve out the rest of their time. However, the Nigerian government said that for this to happen, the British government needs to assist with the upgrading of Nigerian prisons and the expansion of existing facilities.

In line with the agreement, the British government will now build a new wing at Kirikiri Prison in Lagos. This new 112-bed wing will cost £700,000 ($973,000) and be compliant with United Nations standards.

However, the British government did not disclose how many prisoners might be moved or when the project is likely to be completed. In a written statement to parliament, British foreign secretary, Boris Johnson said tenders had been placed and a supplier identified to conduct the building work at Kirikiri.

He added that the project will be funded from Britain’s Conflict, Stability and Security Fund, which has an annual budget of more than £1bn. The fund is used to commission projects that can help prevent conflicts and stabilise countries or regions.