Akwa Ibom Deputy Speaker Critiques Funding for Projects

Rt Hon Kufre Abasi Edidem, the Deputy Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, lamented the insufficient funding for constituency projects despite significant allocations from the federation account. He highlighted that although Governor Umo Eno raised the monthly imprest for lawmakers from ₦2.5 million to ₦3.5 million, the economic realities have eroded the value of this increase.

Edidem pointed out that the additional ₦1 million has become less effective due to the rising costs of goods and services, complicating the ability of lawmakers to meet their constituents' financial expectations. He noted that some lawmakers have had to dip into their personal savings to fulfill the growing demands of their constituencies.

Edidem made these remarks while chairing the 2026 Chapel Week celebration of the Federated Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Akwa Ibom State, where the theme focused on journalism's role in promoting responsible leadership and accountability.