N25bn SEDC budget increase proposed by Senate committee, not southeast governors — Kalu
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on the South East Development Commission (SEDC), Orji Uzor Kalu (APC–Abia North), has clarified that the proposed N25 billion augmentation to the commission’s N140
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on the South East Development Commission (SEDC), Orji Uzor Kalu (APC–Abia North), has clarified that the proposed N25 billion augmentation to the commission’s N140 billion 2026 budget originated from the Senate committee, not from the five governors of the South-East states.
Kalu made the clarification on Thursday, explaining that the proposal was in the committee’s report on the SEDC’s 2026 budget, which he submitted to the Senate Committee on Appropriations on Wednesday for consideration and approval.
According to him, the additional N25 billion is structured to allocate N5 billion each to Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo states.
He noted that the recommendation for budgetary augmentation for the 2026 fiscal year was driven by the need to execute impactful, development-oriented projects across the five states under the commission’s mandate.
"The Commission received hardly any funding in the 2025 fiscal year. Consequently, several projects and strategic initiatives were suspended and remain pending.
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"The 2026 proposal is therefore for both fresh appropriation and necessary intervention to re-activate stale projects and restore developmental momentum across the region.
“In view of this, as chairman of the committee, one who has had deliberation with the governors and major stakeholders in the Southeast region, respectfully request that the committee consider an additional N5 billion allocation to each of the states, amounting to N25 billion, to augment the N140 billion.
“This additional provision will enable SEDC to accelerate the development of the region in health and educational sectors, in line with the Federal Government's Renewed Hope Agenda,” he said.
