The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has dismissed reports that his office allocated N1 billion in the 2026 budget for the procurement of musical instruments for churches in Bende Federal Constituency, Abia State.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, Kalu stated that the actual allocation is N780 million.
According to the deputy speaker, the reports misrepresented both the amount allocated and the purpose of the intervention.
He said that the budget provision, after Value Added Tax and other statutory deductions, stands at N780 million and is intended to support a youth re-orientation and social support programme to be implemented through faith-based organisations.
“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 explained that Bende Federal Constituency has 13 electoral wards and more than 200 churches, adding that the first phase of the programme would cover 130 churches.
