Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North Senatorial District, has asserted that he was allocated over N1 billion for constituency projects in the 2024 budget.
Nwoko supported Senator Ali Ndume’s assertions regarding the disparity in resource allocation to legislators, citing that the amounts often depend on the scale of their constituency projects. He noted that it is not unusual for certain legislators, including himself, to receive larger sums.
“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.
“We are not talking about money for the senators. This is for projects within our senatorial districts. If you have road, water, or training programmes, all should aggregate to a particular amount,” the lawmaker revealed in a podcast released on Saturday.
When questioned about whether he received an allocation of up to N1 billion, the senator affirmed, “Certainly, I did. That’s part of my responsibility. However, these funds are designated for projects benefiting my constituents.”
Nwoko’s disclosure emerges amidst the recent controversy surrounding alleged budget padding in the 2024 budget, as claimed by Senator Abdul Ningi, involving an additional N3.7 trillion allocated without corresponding projects.
Although the Red Chamber has refuted any misconduct, several senators have stepped forward to clarify the funds allocated for constituency projects within their respective districts.
In response to these developments, Nwoko clarified that the allocated funds are intended for financing community projects and not for personal reimbursement to individual senators.