Orji Kalu Questions SEDC Over N153m Office Expenditure

Senator Orji Kalu, representing Abia North, questioned the South East Development Commission (SEDC) during a Senate committee inquiry about its financial management, particularly concerning a N153 million expenditure for a one-room office in Abuja. The inquiry, which involved SEDC's Managing Director Mark Okoy and former Chief of Staff Sylvest Okonkwo, focused on the commission's failure to account for N4 billion allocated in its 2025 budget.

Kalu expressed dissatisfaction with the explanations provided by Okoy, noting that the figures did not align with data obtained from the Central Bank of Nigeria. Kalu instructed Okoy to return to the committee with complete documentation regarding the fund utilization.

The SEDC, established under President Bola Tinubu's administration to address developmental issues in the South East, has faced scrutiny for its financial practices, which jeopardize public trust and confidence among stakeholders in the region.