₦16.6BN SEDC BUDGET PROBE! SENATE GRILLS MARK OKOYE OVER SPENDING, TRANSPARENCY QUESTIONS

Fresh questions are being raised over accountability and transparency at the South East Development Commission (SEDC) following a tense appearance by the Commission's Managing Director, Mark Okoye, before a Senate oversight committee. On this edition of the AM Show, Chilaka Njoku, CEO of SPUTNET, joins us to analyze the controversy surrounding the Commission's reported spending of ₦16.6 billion appropriated in the 2025 budget and the implications for development across the South-East. The Senate committee, led by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, expressed strong dissatisfaction with aspects of the Commission's financial report, raising concerns over expenditures including ₦153 million reportedly spent on a liaison office in Abuja and ₦2.5 billion listed as implied expenditure. Lawmakers also questioned the status of funds disbursed to the Commission, demanding greater clarity on how public resources are being utilized. While critics argue that the issues raised point to potential gaps in transparency and financial management, Mark Okoye has defended the Commission's actions, maintaining that all expenditures were made in line with approved priorities and procurement processes. The discussion explores the role of legislative oversight, the expectations placed on the newly established South East Development Commission, and why accountability is critical to public confidence in regional development initiatives. As the South-East looks to the SEDC to address infrastructure deficits, stimulate economic growth, and accelerate development, the outcome of this scrutiny could have significant implications for the Commission's credibility and future operations. Watch this in-depth conversation as we unpack the facts, the politics, and the broader development questions surrounding the ₦16.6 billion budget probe. #SEDC #MarkOkoye #OrjiUzorKalu #SouthEastDevelopmentCommission #BudgetProbe #N16Point6Billion #SenateProbe #Accountability #Transparency #AMShow #ChilakaNjoku #SouthEastNigeria #Governance #PublicFinance #EconomicDevelopment #NigeriaPolitics #CurrentAffairs #BusinessNews #AfiaTV #nigerianews