Akpabio’s Constituency Receives Over N4 Billion in 2024 Budget Allocations

A comprehensive review of the 2024 budget by Premium Times reveals that constituency projects valued at approximately N4.142 billion have been allocated to the North-west Senatorial District of Akwa Ibom State, represented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

These Zonal Intervention Projects (ZIP) are distributed across the ten local government areas in the district, including Abak, Essien, Etim Ekpo, Ika, Ikono, Ikot Ekpene, Ini, Obot, Oruk Anam, and Ukanafun.

Findings and Vague Project Locations

Despite the significant allocation, a detailed examination of the budget indicates that the locations of some projects are vague and listed under suspicious subheads. The descriptions of the projects do not specify whether they were nominated by Mr. Akpabio, although they are located in his district.

Investigation identified 15 projects worth N3.7 billion with unclear specific locations. Examples include:

• N300 million for “Training/skills acquisition of women/youth and empowerment in fishery in Inen, Nsaik, Usaka, and Okon areas.”

Google Maps searches confirm these areas are within the senatorial district, though the budget does not specify the local government areas.

Other projects include:

• N350 million for “Promotion and development of maize value in Edem Akai, Ikot Obio Nta, and Ibiaku.”
• N300 million for “Promotion and development of Cassava value chain in selected communities in Akanaan, Nkana, and Nkek.”
• N300 million for “Youth entrepreneurship training and provision of start-up grants for rural farmers in selected locations of Ikot Afanga, Itu Edino, and Akoyo areas.”
• N250 million for training and empowerment programme in rice-cum-fish farming for selected youth in Nto Esu, Ikot Ekefre, and Ikot Ekong communities.

Ambiguous Project Allocations

The review also found N442 million allocated to projects with ambiguous locations and subheads:

• N200 million for “Empowerment training in Brackish and marine fish farming for youth and women in coastal communities of Akwa Ibom North-west Senatorial District.”
• N50 million for the “Selection and training of selected youth for supernumerary (spy) at the Nigerian Police College in Akwa Ibom North-west Senatorial District.”
• N90 million for the “Supply of tricycles to selected youths from different villages across Akwa Ibom North-west Senatorial District.”
• N32 million for the “Supply and distribution of employment equipment to selected artisans across Akwa Ibom North-west Senatorial District.”
• N50 million for the “Provision of mini buses for the Obong and chieftaincy committee in Akwa Ibom North-west Senatorial District.”

2024 Budget Overview and Allegations of Padding

President Bola Tinubu submitted a budget of N27.5 trillion for 2024, which the National Assembly raised to N28.7 trillion. The budget was signed into law on January 1, 2024.

However, Senator Abdul Ningi of Bauchi Central alleged the budget was padded with over N3 trillion, leading to his suspension. He was later pardoned and reinstated.

In the course of budget discussions, Cross River North Senator Agom Jarigbe claimed some ranking senators received N500 million worth of projects in the budget, highlighting disparities in ZIP allocations.

ZIP Fund and Corruption Concerns

Federal lawmakers receive a statutory ZIP fund of N100 billion annually for constituency projects. This practice, intended to bring government closer to rural communities, has been criticized as a tool for corruption. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and other leaders have condemned the system for fostering corruption.

The Independent Corruption Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has reported that many constituency projects are riddled with corruption, with projects either poorly executed or not completed.

Civil Society Response

Ifeanyi Odili, President of Campaign for Democracy, criticized the constituency project system as corrupt and urged Nigerians to hold lawmakers accountable.

“I have toured many states and am yet to see projects worth millions of naira as claimed. Constituency project funds are deceits, intentionally given to lawmakers to seal their lips,” Odili said.

Mr. Odili also lamented the suspension of Senator Ningi, advocating for significant reforms or closure of the legislative chambers to curb corruption.