“It Was a Clerical Error” – Abia State Clarifies ₦12m Photocopier Allocation in 2026 Budget

Abia State Government has addressed concerns over a reported ₦210 million allocation for a photocopier in its 2026 budget, attributing the figure to a clerical error.

In a statement on Saturday, the state Ministry of Budget and Planning said the discrepancy arose from a misalignment of text and figures in the final budget document, which created the impression that ₦250 million was set aside for a photocopier. The ministry stressed that the actual amount approved for a Sharp photocopier and related office equipment is ₦12 million.

The ministry clarified that ₦210,831,142 is allocated for rehabilitation and repairs of residential buildings and staff quarters at the Lagos Liaison Office, as correctly noted on page 60 of the budget. The misreported figure appeared on page 289 due to formatting errors during compilation, displacing the larger capital project’s value.

Officials emphasized that the budget outlines spending intentions, not automatic disbursements. All procurements remain subject to statutory approvals, including oversight by departmental tender boards and the State Executive Council.

The ministry described the error as purely clerical, stating there was no inflation of costs for the photocopier and reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and fiscal discipline.