ABUJA, NIGERIA — The Chief Executive Officer of the South East Development Commission (SEDC), Mark Okoye II, has refuted allegations of financial recklessness, clarifying that a controversial ₦153 million expenditure was utilized for the comprehensive setup and operation of the commission’s Abuja Liaison Office.
The defense follows public scrutiny and queries raised during the Senate’s review of the commission’s financial activities.
Beyond a Single Room: The Maitama Facility
Dismissing rumors that the multi-million naira sum was used to secure a single room, Okoye explained that the funds were channeled into establishing a coordination center within the Congress Building in Maitama, Abuja.
The choice of location is strategic, serving as the hub for the commission’s engagements with federal ministries, the National Assembly, government agencies, international development partners, and financial institutions.
The ₦153 million covers the total cost of setting up and running the office from February 2025 to date. The expenditure includes rent, utility bills, operational expenses, and basic office fit-out requirements.
Cost-Cutting Measures and Enugu Relocation
In a bid to demonstrate fiscal discipline, the SEDC Chief revealed that the commission is implementing measures to reduce long-term administrative overheads.
Instead of committing capital to construct a new corporate headquarters, the commission has finalized plans to relocate its main operations to an existing government facility in Enugu State. This decision was made to protect public funds and enforce prudent spending across the commission’s operations.
Public Debate Intensifies
Despite the clarification from the SEDC leadership, the expenditure continues to spark debate among accountability groups and citizens.
While some analysts view the ₦153 million layout as a realistic cost for leasing and maintaining a functional corporate office in Abuja’s Maitama district over a multi-year period, critics question whether a newly established regional development commission should prioritize premium capital territory real estate over immediate grassroots intervention projects in the South East.
