The Senate Committee overseeing the South East Development Commission, SEDC, has questioned the commission’s leadership regarding its failure to account for over N4 billion expended from its 2025 budget.

This inquiry took place when the Managing Director of the SEDC, Mark Okoye and his team appeared before the committee.

Okoye attended the meeting alongside Sylvester Okonkwo, a former Chief of Staff to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, to justify the commission’s financial activities for the year.

According to budget documents, the SEDC was allocated N16.6 billion for its operations in 2025.

Kalu, representing the Abia North Senatorial District, inquired about the remaining balance in the commission’s account and the manner in which the funds had been utilized.

He said, “We will not accept any excuses, regardless of your background. My responsibility is to fulfill my duties, and we, as parliamentarians, must fulfill ours. I do not care how you came to hold this position, but the constitution has entrusted us with a role to ensure you operate within the laws of Nigeria.

“My question is this: you have received N16.6 billion, how much is left in your account?”

In reply, Okoye stated that the commission had between N11.5 billion and N12 billion still available, suggesting that over N4 billion had been allocated to operational expenses.

“Based on the last information provided to me, the SEDC should have around N11.5 to N12 billion in its account,” he asserted.

However, Kalu dismissed this explanation, maintaining that the figure did not correspond with the records accessible to the committee or with data obtained from the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.

He subsequently requested a detailed account of the expenditures.

He added, “In this committee, we have the means to trace where funds have been spent and where they are held. These individuals are not just anybody; they are government officials.

“I have communicated with the Central Bank, and I can retrieve documents from my office right now. We have also dispatched the Auditor General to review your activities, as I am not satisfied.”

Failing to provide a thorough account of the spending, the managing director of the SEDC was instructed to return to the committee the following Tuesday with complete documentation detailing the utilization of the funds.

“We are not pleased with your performance; this is not the standard expected from someone who claims expertise like you do. I am quite disappointed, and this committee shares that sentiment.

“We are giving you one week to return and present the full truth regarding this matter because you are wasting our time. We expect to see you back here next Tuesday,” Mr. Kalu, a former governor of Abia State, stated.

The senator further claimed that documents accessible to the committee indicated that the commission spends N153 million each year for a modest office in Abuja, even though it has its main headquarters located in Enugu.

“You maintain a tiny office here in Abuja and are paying N153 million for a single room. This committee is aware of it.

“You’re engaging with individuals who have progressed further than you believe. This is why I’m cautioning you; let’s not continue this farce here. I want to protect you from a potential issue,” the senator remarked.

The SEDC is among the latest regional development commissions formed by the Bola Tinubu administration to tackle the developmental issues confronting the South-east geopolitical area.

President Tinubu signed the South East Development Commission (Establishment) Bill into law in 2024, and the commission’s board was inaugurated in February 2025, making it less than two years old.

The commission was established to promote infrastructure enhancement, economic advancement, and social progress across the five South-east states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo. Its responsibilities include the reconstruction and restoration of roads, homes, and other infrastructure affected by the Nigerian civil war; addressing ecological and environmental issues; fostering industrial growth; supporting agriculture; attracting investments; and generating job opportunities in the region.

The formation of the SEDC was largely embraced by political figures, civil society organizations, and stakeholders in the South-east, many of whom regarded it as a long-awaited measure to counteract decades of perceived neglect, infrastructure shortcomings, and developmental difficulties in the area.

For a commission still in its early stages and tasked with gaining public trust, a lack of clear documentation regarding expenditures could jeopardize confidence among lawmakers, stakeholders, and residents of the South-east, who anticipate the agency to implement concrete development initiatives.

The Federal government has been advised to protect Nigerian communities and educational institutions from being invaded by Boko Haram and other terror groups.

The advice came from the 15th Biennial Mother’s Union Conference of the Church of Nigeria, Diocese of Umuahia, Anglican Communion held at Ubakala, Umuahia.

The President, Women Ministry of the Anglican Diocese of Umuahia, Gospel Ogechi Geo-Ibeabuchi in her address, warned that many families were being displaced, while communities and pupils were being attacked by terrorists in different States of the federation.

Geo-Ibeabuchi challenged the federal government “to prove the effectiveness of its security policies by ensuring that no community or school is again overrun by bandits”.

According to her, recent security incidents reported in parts of Northern Nigeria, the South West and sections of the South East underscore the importance of strengthening intelligence gathering, improving collaboration among security agencies and adopting proactive measures capable of preventing further escalation.

She also urged the Abia State government and security agencies not to overlook security concerns in communities around Umuahia, including Amakama, Ohiya and Lodu, emphasising that early intervention and sustained vigilance remain critical to safeguarding residents and maintaining peace.

She said many Nigerians were grappling with economic hardship, hunger and uncertainty, adding that government at all levels “should remain attentive to the concerns of ordinary citizens”.