By Eye Reporters
Several Nigerian lawmakers have received massive allocations for constituency projects since the removal of fuel subsidy by President Bola Tinubu.
Senator Ned Nwoko of Delta North confirmed he received over N1 billion for constituency projects in the 2024 budget.
He attributed the allocation to his lobbying efforts within the National Assembly.
Senator Agom Jarigbe of Cross River North disclosed that some senior senators got N500 million each.
Not all lawmakers received equal allocations, with some senators reportedly getting as little as N75 million.
Others received between N100 million and N200 million depending on influence and project proposals.
The 2024 budget showed that 7,447 projects worth N2.24 trillion were inserted by the National Assembly.
This figure greatly surpassed the N100 billion originally set aside for constituency projects.
Investigation by Eye Reporters revealed that these insertions occurred without full transparency or public accountability.
Civic groups like Budget and Information Technology (BudgIT) and Centre for Research on International Cooperation in Educational Development (CRICED), have raised alarms over what they call a diversion of public funds.
They argue that many projects have no national impact and serve personal political interests.
Critics describe the allocations as a continuation of entrenched budget padding practices.
CRICED has called for a forensic audit of all constituency project allocations by the National Assembly.
The allegations have intensified public scrutiny over legislative budgeting and misuse of funds.
Despite public outrage, there has been no formal investigation or sanction by the federal government.
This practice continues to undermine public trust in democratic institutions and governance.
