By BONIFACE AKARAH

The Southeast Development Agenda (SEDA) has called for an immediate legislative and executive review of the proposed N140 billion 2026 budget of the Southeast Development Commission (SEDC), citing what it described as disproportionate allocations to administrative and promotional expenses.

In a statement issued on March 1, 2026, in Enugu and jointly signed by its Convener, Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, and Secretary, Chiemezie Kelechi Oluoha Esq, the group expressed “deep concern” over the budget presented by the Commission’s Executive Director, Mark Okoye.

“After a careful review of publicly available budget details, SEDA notes with concern the disproportionately high allocations to administrative overheads, consultancies, media campaigns, stakeholder engagements, travel, summits, and other recurrent or promotional activities,” the statement read.

“These allocations appear to outweigh direct, visible, and transformative capital projects that the people of the Southeast region urgently expect.”

The group raised specific concerns about what it termed excessive administrative and consultancy costs, including “billions of naira allocated to legal setup, financial advisory, feasibility studies, business case development, and fund structuring,” saying such provisions raise “serious questions about cost efficiency and duplication.”

It also faulted what It described as disproportionate spending on media, public relations, roadshows, and summits.

“Allocations running into several billions for media campaigns, branding, investor roadshows, stakeholder engagements, and diaspora programs suggest an overemphasis on optics rather than tangible development outcomes,” SEDA stated.

On recurrent expenditure, the organisation pointed to “significant provisions for local and international travel, refreshments, and consumables,” stressing that stronger fiscal discipline was necessary “in a region grappling with infrastructure deficits.”

SEDA further said the budget breakdown it reviewed did not clearly identify flagship infrastructure projects such as major roads, industrial parks, power projects, water systems, or agricultural processing hubs.

“The budget breakdown reviewed by SEDA does not clearly identify flagship infrastructure projects … projects that would have immediate and measurable economic impact,” it said.

The group also called for clarity on allocations earmarked for surveillance infrastructure and regional security operations, noting that such spending “requires legal clarification and transparent coordination with constitutionally recognized security authorities.”

While acknowledging that institutional development and stakeholder engagement are legitimate components of a newly operational commission, SEDA insisted that such expenditures must be “proportionate, transparent, clearly tied to measurable outcomes, and subordinate to capital-intensive economic transformation.”

“At a time when unemployment, infrastructure decay, and capital flight continue to challenge the Southeast, public funds must prioritize projects that directly stimulate production, industrialization, and regional competitiveness,” the statement added.

SEDA formally demanded a comprehensive review of the 2026 budget to rebalance spending in favour of capital infrastructure and productive investments, as well as the publication of a detailed breakdown showing capital-to-recurrent expenditure ratios, procurement plans, beneficiary projections, and key performance indicators.

It also called for the establishment of an Independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee comprising civil society organisations, professional associations, private sector representatives, youth and women groups, and development finance experts.

“This committee should monitor project implementation, budget releases, procurement processes, and performance metrics on a quarterly basis,” the group said.

In addition, SEDA urged the institutionalisation of mandatory public briefings and town hall engagements to provide progress updates and receive citizen feedback.

“Development commissions exist to catalyze structural transformation — not to expand bureaucratic layers or prioritize ceremonial engagements,” the statement read.

“The people of the Southeast deserve a development blueprint anchored on industrial growth, infrastructure renewal, job creation, security stabilization, and transparent governance.”

SEDA said it remained committed to constructive engagement with the leadership of the Commission and relevant authorities “to ensure that public resources are deployed in a manner that reflects the aspirations and economic needs of the region.”