Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has clarified that N780 million, and not N1 billion, was allocated in the 2026 budget for a church-based youth reorientation and social support programme in Bende Federal Constituency, Abia State.
Kalu made the clarification through a statement issued on Wednesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, following reports that the allocation was N1 billion.
The Deputy Speaker said the reports were inaccurate and had misrepresented the purpose and scope of the budget provision.
According to him, the allocation is intended to support the procurement of evangelical instruments and public address systems for faith-based organisations to help promote campaigns against social vices, including drug abuse, sexual offences, and violent crimes.
He said the programme is aimed at supporting youth development by encouraging discipline, positive values, peace, and character building among young people in the constituency.
“Bende has 13 federal political/electoral wards and over 200 churches. The first phase of this support targets 130 of these churches, averaging about 10 churches per ward, which amounts to approximately N5 million to N6 million per church,” the statement said.
Kalu explained that the intervention was designed to strengthen existing youth engagement platforms operated by churches and enable them to carry out wider community outreach programmes.
He said government responsibility goes beyond providing physical infrastructure, stressing that investment in citizens’ values and character is also important for national development.
“This intervention is not about instruments alone. It is about leveraging trusted community value-sustaining structures to reorient our youths, promote unity, and sustain moral instruction across the constituency,” Kalu said.
The Deputy Speaker noted that the 2026 budget containing the provision is yet to be implemented, adding that selected churches would be informed after the completion of the procurement process.
He also disclosed that his office identified a technical error in the procurement description and had started the process of correcting it through the Budget Office and the House Committee on Appropriations before implementation.
Kalu urged the media and members of the public to disregard reports that present the allocation out of context, saying the programme was designed to support youth development and community engagement in Bende Federal Constituency.
