Parliamentary Watch Initiative Debunks NEDC N246.77bn Salary Budget Claims
The Parliamentary Watch Initiative (PWI) has strongly refuted circulating allegations that the North East Development Commission (NEDC) operates a staggering N246.77 billion salary budget. In a detailed statement released by the civic oversight group, these claims have been dismissed as fundamentally misleading and a significant misrepresentation of Nigeria's established budgeting framework and processes.
Investigation Reveals Responsible Financial Operations
According to the Parliamentary Watch Initiative, a comprehensive investigation into the NEDC's mandate, operational structure, and financial management has confirmed that the commission functions responsibly within its statutory boundaries. The group conducted an extensive forensic review of budget documents, statutory provisions, and oversight reports, concluding that the NEDC maintains proper fiscal discipline under its current leadership.
The investigation specifically examined the commission's performance under Chairman Major General Paul C. Tarfa (Rtd) and Managing Director Mohammed Goni Alkali, finding that the development agency operates effectively and meets expectations despite being a relatively young institution facing complex regional challenges.
Clarifying the N246.77 Billion Figure
The Parliamentary Watch Initiative provided crucial clarification regarding the frequently cited N246.77 billion figure, explaining that this amount does not represent personnel costs alone. Instead, this figure constitutes a consolidated statutory allocation captured at an aggregate level within Nigeria's Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF).
The group referenced recent explanations from the Budget Office of the Federation, which similarly dismissed claims that this allocation was exclusively designated for salaries. The Budget Office emphasized that such interpretations reflect a poor understanding of federal budgeting procedures, noting that incomplete budget breakdowns during preparation phases can temporarily cause figures to appear under personnel cost headings as technical placeholders.
Addressing Capital Expenditure Concerns
Regarding the N2.70 billion capital expenditure figure cited by critics, PWI noted that the Budget Office clarified this resulted from a National Assembly decision to defer approximately 70 percent of the commission's capital votes to the 2026 fiscal year. This budgetary adjustment, according to official explanations, does not indicate any deficiency in project implementation or poor performance by the commission.
The Parliamentary Watch Initiative further explained that personnel costs within a development commission like the NEDC are legitimate and necessary expenditures. These costs cover essential professionals including engineers, procurement officers, project managers, and monitoring and evaluation teams who are crucial for effective project delivery and development implementation across Nigeria's North East region.
Accountability Mechanisms and Transparency
The group highlighted that the NEDC operates within established accountability frameworks including the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework, annual Appropriation Acts, National Assembly oversight, statutory audits, and comprehensive performance reporting processes. These multiple layers of scrutiny ensure proper financial management and operational transparency.
Commending the commission's leadership, the Parliamentary Watch Initiative described the NEDC as transparent and fiscally responsible, noting its continued implementation of critical interventions across the North East despite the region's complex development and humanitarian challenges.
Warning Against Misinformation Spread
The Parliamentary Watch Initiative issued a strong caution against what it described as the dangerous spread of misinformation and selective interpretation of budget figures. The group warned that such narratives undermine public trust in governance institutions and distort the realities of development administration.
While welcoming legitimate public scrutiny of government institutions, PWI urged all stakeholders, commentators, and media organizations to engage with fiscal information responsibly and in good faith. The group emphasized the importance of accurate reporting to maintain public confidence in critical development institutions working to address Nigeria's regional challenges.
The Parliamentary Watch Initiative's comprehensive response comes amid ongoing public discourse about government spending and accountability, particularly regarding agencies tasked with addressing development challenges in Nigeria's conflict-affected regions.
