A senator from Delta North Senatorial District, Ned Nwoko, has said that he got over 1 billion naira for projects in his area in the 2024 budget.
Nwoko supported Senator Ali Ndume’s statement that the amount of resources given to the lawmakers can change depending on the size of their projects in their areas, showing that it’s not unusual for some, including himself, to receive larger amounts.
“Senators get what they ask for, not because they deserve it. Everybody just works on what they can do for their areas and voting districts.
“A better method would have been for everyone to get the same amount. So if they say that everyone should get about 1 billion naira, that should be it. But this way, you depend on your influence and connections to see what you can get for your people.
“We are not discussing funds for the senators. This is for projects in our areas. If you have infrastructure, water, or training programs, all should add up to a particular amount,” the lawmaker said in a podcast released on Saturday.
When asked if he received as much as 1 billion naira, the senator answered, “Definitely, I did. That's why I have the position I have. But these are projects for my people.”
Nwoko’s statement comes as the recent controversy of alleged budget padding by Senator Abdul Ningi of the 2024 budget with an extra 3.7 trillion naira, a fund not tied to any extra project.
While the Red Chamber has denied any wrongdoing, some senators have come out to explain the amount given to them for projects in their different areas.
In response to the developments, Nwoko made it clear that the allocated funds are for funding projects, not for personal reimbursement of individual senators.
