How Senate Principal Officers Secured Multi-Billion Naira Constituency Projects in 2024 Budget

In the 2024 national budget, principal officers of the Nigerian Senate have secured billions of naira for constituency projects, raising questions about the transparency and equity of these allocations. The projects, known as Zonal Intervention Projects (ZIP), were originally introduced during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo to address infrastructure deficits across Nigeria.

According to investigation, several key Senate figures, including the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, and other senior officials, have allocated significant funds to projects in their respective constituencies. The investigation uncovered a total of N4.142 billion allocated to the North-West Senatorial District of Akwa Ibom State, represented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, with similar large-scale allocations to other prominent senators.

Ambiguous Project Locations and Descriptions

The report highlights concerns about the vagueness and ambiguity surrounding the locations and descriptions of these projects. For instance, N250 million was earmarked for “Construction of rural roads in some selected communities in Kano State,” but no specific locations were provided. Similar issues were noted in other allocations, with projects listed under vague or irrelevant government agencies, making it difficult to track their execution.

Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin’s constituency in Kano North saw several projects with unclear details, including N190 million for “Human Capital Development and Strategic Empowerment with Capital and Motorcycles in Kano State.” However, only one project, valued at N190 million, was clearly defined for Kano North, focusing on providing empowerment items to farmers.

Substantial Allocations to Other Key Senators

Other prominent senators also secured substantial funding for their constituencies. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele’s Ekiti Central Senatorial District received six projects worth N1.472 billion. These projects include the supply of educational materials, grants for unemployed youths, and agricultural inputs, though some are listed under agencies unrelated to the project’s nature.

Kwara South Senator Oyelola Ashiru’s district was allocated N1.8 billion across 11 projects, ranging from road construction to medical outreach programs. Similarly, Borno South Senator Ali Ndume’s constituency received N722 million for projects including road construction and provision of tricycle vans.

Benue South Senator Abba Moro secured N1.180 billion for eight projects, with a focus on electrification and training for youths in agricultural value chains. Osun West Senator Oyewunmi Olalere’s district received N1.130 billion for projects such as solar street lights and grants to vulnerable groups.

Controversy Surrounding Constituency Projects

The allocation of these projects has reignited debates about the fairness and transparency of the ZIP initiative. Former Senate Minority Leader Enyinnaya Abaribe previously defended such allocations, arguing that senior positions in the Senate naturally come with certain perks. However, critics, including former President Obasanjo, have condemned the practice, labeling it as a form of corruption.

Since its inception, the ZIP has been marred by allegations of mismanagement and corruption. While it was intended to address infrastructure gaps nationwide, successive leaders, including Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan, and Muhammadu Buhari, have criticized its implementation. In 2019, Buhari lamented that the over N1 trillion allocated for these projects over a decade had little visible impact on the ground.

The 2024 budget, initially proposed by President Bola Tinubu at N27.5 trillion and later increased by the National Assembly to N28.7 trillion, has only intensified scrutiny over how public funds are being allocated and utilized. The issue remains a point of contention, with ongoing calls for greater accountability in the disbursement and execution of constituency projects.