The Senate Committee on the South East Development Commission (SEDC) has questioned the management of the commission over the expenditure of ₦153 million on an Abuja liaison office, as lawmakers intensified scrutiny of the agency’s spending and budget implementation.
The committee, chaired by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, raised concerns during an oversight hearing held on Tuesday in Abuja, where the Managing Director of the SEDC, Mark Okoye, appeared to defend the commission’s financial activities.
Lawmakers expressed shock over the amount reportedly spent on the Abuja office, which some members described as a “single-room liaison office,” despite the commission maintaining its headquarters in Enugu. The committee also sought explanations regarding an estimated ₦2.5 billion expenditure earmarked for the rehabilitation and setup of the commission’s headquarters.
The hearing focused on the implementation of the commission’s 2025 budget, under which the SEDC received an allocation of ₦16.6 billion. Senators noted that approximately ₦3.6 billion had already been spent and demanded a detailed breakdown of the expenditures.
Addressing the concerns, Okoye explained that the Abuja office was not a single-room facility as alleged but occupied multiple floors within a commercial building. He stated that the ₦153 million expenditure covered rent, office fit-outs, furnishing, and operational requirements since the office became functional in February 2025.
The SEDC chief further argued that the commission had faced significant operational challenges following delays in the release of funds. According to him, much of the spending was directed toward establishing administrative structures, recruiting personnel, paying salaries, and creating the institutional framework necessary for the commission to begin executing its mandate.
Senators, however, insisted on greater transparency and accountability, emphasizing that public institutions must justify every expenditure, particularly at a time when Nigerians are demanding prudent management of scarce resources.
Committee members stressed that the South East Development Commission was created to spearhead the reconstruction and economic revitalization of the South-East region, which has suffered decades of infrastructure deficits and developmental challenges. They argued that public confidence in the commission would depend largely on its ability to demonstrate fiscal discipline and effective project delivery.
Following extensive deliberations, the committee directed the SEDC management to submit comprehensive documentation detailing all expenditures, contracts, procurement processes, and budget implementation records. The documents are expected to be submitted on or before June 23 for further legislative review.
The development underscores the growing determination of the National Assembly to strengthen oversight of government agencies and ensure that public funds are utilized in accordance with established regulations and the expectations of citizens.
Political observers note that the outcome of the investigation could significantly influence public perception of the newly established commission and its capacity to fulfill its mandate of accelerating development across the South-East region.
As scrutiny continues, stakeholders across the region are expected to closely monitor the commission’s response and its commitment to transparency, accountability, and effective service delivery.
