The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu addressed reports about a budget allocation for church projects on Wednesday. Kalu dismissed claims that his office set aside N1 billion solely for musical instruments.
Kalu released a statement through his Chief Press Secretary Levinus Nwabughiogu. He explained that the actual amount after Value Added Tax and other deductions stood at N780 million. Kalu stated that the provision supported a youth re-orientation and social support programme implemented through faith-based organisations.
The deputy speaker detailed the purpose of the funds. “The funds are intended to support the purchase of evangelical instruments and public address systems to promote campaigns against vices like the spread of narcotics, sexual offences, and violent crimes while instilling discipline, values, peace and character development among young people in the communities,” the statement read.
Kalu noted that Bende Federal Constituency in Abia State had 13 electoral wards and over 200 churches. He added that the first phase would cover 130 churches.
“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,” he said.
Kalu described the intervention as an effort to strengthen youth engagement platforms run by churches. “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,” he said.
He revealed that his office initiated a corrigendum to fix a technical error in the procurement description. Kalu stressed that the 2026 budget had not yet been implemented. Beneficiary churches would receive notifications after the procurement process.
