Probes Commission on N16.6bn Allocation
- Safiu Kehinde
The Senate Committee on South East Development Commission (SEDC) has on Tuesday accused the commission of spending N153 million on a one-room office in Abuja.
The committee made the allegation while probing the SEDC over the spending of the N16.6 billion allocated to it.
In a heated session at the National Assembly complex, the committee demanded a detailed account of how N16.6 billion appropriated to the agency in the 2025 budget was utilised.
The committee chairman, Sen. Orji Kalu, faulted the report tendered by the SEDC Managing Director, Mark Okoye, who had claimed that the money left in the commission’s account is around N12 billion
“You received N16.6 billion. How much is left in your account?” Kalu asked in a clip of the session shared on X yesterday.
“The last time I checked and the last information that was given to me, the NCDC should have at least between 11.5 to 12 billion Naira in its account.” Okoye replied.
Kalu refuted the SEDC’s boss claim as he disclosed contacting the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) where he was informed that about N13 billion is supposed to be left in the account.
“You have 13 point something billion in the account as of today. I’ve spoken to the Central Bank.
“In the committee, we have access to anywhere you can spend money and keep money. These people you see here are not the people you know.
“We are government officials. I’ve spoken to Central Bank. I can go to my office and give you the document now.
“We have sent the Auditor-General to come and audit what you have done because I’m not impressed.” He said.
The Senator expressed his disappointment with the commission as he alleged discrepancies in the report.
“Look at that paper, completed and imperative and all sort. What does that mean? It means nothing in English. We are not satisfied with your job.
“This is not a job somebody that claims to be an expert like you should be doing.
“I’m very disappointed and this committee is very disappointed.” He said.
While giving the commission one week ultimatum to return to the committee with genuine report on the fund, Kalu thereafter accused the SEDC of spending N153 million on a one-room office in Abuja.
“I will give you one week to go back and tell us the whole truth about this thing because you are wasting our time.
“You have one little office here in Abuja and you pay N153 million for one room.
“We don’t want to come to have any oversight. Our clerk can come. You spent N153 million without evidence.” He said.
This stirred murmurs in the room with an official of the SEDC challenging the committee to pay a visit to the said office.
“Listen to me, you are dealing with people who have gone far than you think we can go. This is why I’m warning you people that let us not continue the joke here.’ Kalu quipped.
Meanwhile, Okoye, in his defence of the spending, stated that available funds had been channelled towards priority projects while ensuring that contract awards were aligned with actual cash releases.
According to reports, the SEDC boss explained that the commission was determined to avoid the common practice of awarding contracts without sufficient funds to execute them.
“Our approach has been to ensure that available resources are directed towards priority projects. We want allocations to guide the procurement process so that contracts awarded can be backed by available funding,” Okoye said.
He stressed further that approving contracts based solely on budgetary provisions without corresponding releases would create financial liabilities and place the commission at risk of running deficits.
However, members of the committee rejected the explanation and insisted on receiving comprehensive records to justify the expenditures.
Kalu subsequently directed the commission to submit detailed documentation covering contracts awarded, payment schedules and all supporting financial records on or before June 23.
“By the 23rd, we want to have the complete documentation. Once we receive and review the documents, we will determine the date for your next appearance before the committee,” he stated.