Nigeria’s Senate has raised serious concerns over the South East Development Commission’s (SEDC) expenditure of N153 million on a one-room liaison office in Abuja, despite the agency’s headquarters being located in Enugu.
The Senate Committee on South East Development Commission, chaired by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, scrutinised the commission during an investigative hearing on Wednesday over its spending from the N16.6 billion released under the 2025 budget.
The committee expressed dissatisfaction with the financial report submitted by SEDC Managing Director Mark Okoye, particularly the N153 million rent and an implied N2.5 billion in other expenditures.
Kalu noted that only about N13 billion remained in the commission’s account, implying roughly N3.6 billion had been spent.
“This committee is disappointed with the financial report presented. It is completely unacceptable,” Kalu said.
Other senators, including Enyinnaya Abaribe, Victor Umeh and Austin Akobundu, echoed the concerns and demanded full documentation of all expenditures.
Okoye defended the commission’s decisions, insisting all spending was prudent and tied to actual cash releases rather than full budget allocations.
“Our approach has been to ensure that available resources are directed towards priority projects,” he said.
The committee directed the commission to submit comprehensive records of contracts, payments and supporting documents by June 23.
