Lawmakers Demand Financial Records, Contracts Details From South East Development Commission

The Senate Committee on the South East Development Commission (SEDC) has scheduled June 9, 2026, for an interactive oversight session with the leadership of the Commission following a request by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Hon.

Mark Okoye, to shift an earlier meeting originally fixed for June 2.
In a letter signed by the Committee Clerk, Barrister Tagbo Okeke, the Senate approved the new date and directed the Commission to appear with members of its Board, Executive Directors, and other relevant management personnel.
According to the Committee, the session forms part of its constitutional oversight responsibilities and is aimed at reviewing the Commission’s operations, finances, policies, programmes, and administration since its establishment.
Ahead of the meeting, the Committee requested a wide range of documents, including staff records, audited financial statements, procurement records, budget performance reports, and evidence of compliance with the Federal Character Principle.
Special attention will be given to details of all expenditures incurred by the Commission, including personnel costs, consultancy fees, training expenses, publicity, welfare packages, and other administrative spending.
The lawmakers also requested comprehensive information on all projects, programmes, interventions, and contracts executed by the Commission, including their locations, costs, procurement procedures, and implementation status.
Records of local and foreign trips, conferences, workshops, retreats, and stakeholder engagements undertaken by Board members, management, and staff are also expected to be examined.
The Committee, made up of senators from different parts of the country and largely comprising lawmakers from the South-East, is expected to vigorously carry out its oversight responsibilities to ensure transparency, accountability, and prudent management of public resources.
The outcome of the hearing is expected to address growing public concerns about the Commission’s performance and determine whether funds released by the Federal Government have been effectively utilized to promote development across the South-East region.
The session is also expected to shed light on allegations that substantial resources may have been spent on conferences, seminars, and official travels rather than on projects capable of delivering tangible benefits to communities across the region.