The South East Development Commission (SEDC) has defended expenditure on its Abuja liaison office following Senate scrutiny of its finances, insisting the facility supports critical engagements with federal institutions while reaffirming plans to relocate fully to its headquarters in Enugu.
SEDC Defends Abuja Office Spending, Pledges Greater Transparency Amid Senate Scrutiny
The South East Development Commission (SEDC) has provided further clarification on the operation of its Abuja liaison office following concerns raised by the Senate Committee on the South East Development Commission over the agency’s expenditure profile.
The commission said the Abuja office, established to facilitate engagement with the National Assembly, federal ministries, departments and agencies, development finance institutions, and strategic partners, remains a critical operational hub pending its full relocation to Enugu, the commission’s statutory headquarters.
The clarification came after the commission’s Managing Director, Mark Okoye, appeared before the Senate Committee, chaired by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, to defend expenditures under the commission’s 2025 budget.
During the session, lawmakers questioned several spending items and sought detailed explanations regarding the utilisation of funds allocated to the commission, including reported expenditure associated with the Abuja office.
In a statement issued by the commission, SEDC maintained that spending on the office covered both establishment and operational requirements necessary to support its activities since becoming fully operational.
According to the commission, the office serves as a liaison platform for coordinating relationships with federal institutions and development partners whose support is considered vital to the implementation of regional development programmes.
“The board and management have prioritised relocating to the Commission’s designated headquarters in Enugu at the earliest possible opportunity,” the statement noted.
SEDC also explained that despite being established to drive large-scale development interventions across the South-East, it has not yet received capital budget releases required to commence major infrastructure projects.
The commission said available resources have largely been directed toward building the institutional framework necessary for programme delivery while simultaneously advancing preparatory work on strategic projects.
“It is important to note that the Commission has not received any funds from its capital budget. Nevertheless, we have continued to lay the foundation for transformative regional projects and partnerships that will enable rapid implementation once capital releases are made,” the commission stated.
The agency further disclosed that it received its first financial disbursement more than ten months after its establishment, requiring management to prioritise salaries, operational expenses, staff training, office establishment, and procurement of essential information technology infrastructure.
Beyond administrative expenditures, SEDC highlighted several initiatives undertaken since becoming operational. These include participation in international investment and trade engagements, discussions with Afreximbank on a proposed Project Preparation Fund aimed at revitalising dormant industries across the South-East, the convening of the South East Vision 2050 Stakeholder Forum, and the launch of the South East Venture Capital Programme.
According to the commission, the venture capital initiative has already provided support to 25 startups across the region, while consultants have been engaged to undertake feasibility studies and due diligence for priority projects, including a proposed gas infrastructure partnership expected to boost industrial growth and energy access.
Meanwhile, stakeholders have called for continued transparency in the management of public resources while urging the commission to remain focused on delivering tangible development outcomes.
The Igbo Heritage Renaissance Forum (IHRF), a socio-cultural advocacy group, said the Senate’s oversight function should be viewed as a necessary mechanism for strengthening public confidence in the commission.
“Every naira appropriated for the development of the South-East must be properly accounted for. Transparency is not a burden; it is a responsibility that comes with public trust,” the group said.
The forum also urged citizens to allow due process to take its course while awaiting the comprehensive documentation requested by lawmakers.
“We encourage the commission to provide full disclosure of its expenditures and project plans. At the same time, the public deserves an objective assessment based on facts rather than assumptions. Accountability and development must go hand in hand,” the group added.
Political and development analysts note that as one of Nigeria’s newest regional intervention agencies, the SEDC faces heightened expectations from South-East communities eager to see visible progress in infrastructure, industrialisation, job creation, and economic revitalisation.
The Senate Committee is expected to continue its review of the commission’s financial records as part of ongoing oversight aimed at ensuring prudent management of public funds and effective delivery of its mandate.
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