Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North Senatorial District, has revealed that he received more than N1 billion for constituency projects in the 2024 budget, News About Nigeria reports.
Nwoko’s disclosure comes amid claims made by Senator Ali Ndume regarding the varying allocation of resources to legislators based on the magnitude of their constituency projects.
In a podcast released on Saturday, Nwoko said that senators receive funds based on their lobbying efforts rather than entitlement.
He acknowledged that the disparity in allocations is influenced by individual senators’ connections and efforts to secure resources for their constituencies.
While discussing the allocation process, Nwoko called for uniformity in funding across all senatorial districts, stating that a standardised allocation would promote fairness and transparency.
“Senators get what they lobby for, not because they have the right to it. Everybody just goes about doing what they can do for their constituencies and senatorial districts.
“A better approach would have been for senatorial uniformity. So if they say that everyone should get about N1 billion, be it. But this way, you rely on your weight and contacts to see what you can get for your people,” he said.
He clarified that the funds allocated are designated for projects within their respective senatorial districts, such as road construction, water supply, or training programmes.
When asked if he received as much as N1 billion in allocation, Nwoko affirmed, stating that the funds were specifically for projects aimed at benefiting his constituents.
He noted that the allocated funds are intended for financing projects and not for the personal reimbursement of individual senators.
Nwoko’s revelation comes amidst recent controversies surrounding the alleged budget padding in the 2024 budget, with Senator Abdul Ningi claiming an extra N3.7 trillion allocation is not tied to any additional projects.
