Rebuttal to Allegations of Unprecedented Constituency Project Funds

Strategic Insights -

A former aspirant for the House of Representatives, Mr. David Ayodele Asalu, has alleged that members of the National Assembly receive substantial funds for constituency projects following the removal of fuel subsidy by the Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government. However, the incumbent lawmaker representing Ede North/Ede South/Egbedore/Ejigbo Federal Constituency, Hon. Bamidele Salam, has refuted these claims, stating that lawmakers do not receive direct payments for constituency projects. According to Salam, members of the National Assembly merely nominate projects to be implemented by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), with the Executive handling implementation and funding.

Key Takeaways:

  • Mr. David Ayodele Asalu alleged that members of the National Assembly receive not less than 1 billion each for constituency projects, while Senators reportedly get up to 2 billion (Source: Asalu's statement at a public forum on transparency and accountability in governance).
  • Hon. Bamidele Salam denied the allegations, stating that lawmakers do not receive direct payments for constituency projects, but instead nominate projects to be implemented by MDAs (Source: Salam's statement).
  • Salam claimed that contractors are awarded jobs by government agencies, not by lawmakers, and that lawmakers do not even know the contractors handling the projects (Source: Salam's statement).
  • Salam cited examples of projects worth several billions of naira ongoing across the Ede Federal Constituency, including road rehabilitation, electrification, and school construction (Source: Salam's statement).
  • Salam warned against spreading misinformation that could mislead the public about the constitutional roles of legislators, insisting that project facilitation by lawmakers is a globally recognised democratic practice (Source: Salam's statement).

Statistics:

  • According to Asalu, lawmakers allegedly receive not less than N1 billion each for constituency projects, while Senators get up to N2 billion (Source: Asalu's statement).
  • Salam stated that contractors are awarded jobs by government agencies, not by lawmakers (Source: Salam's statement).
  • Salam cited examples of projects worth several billions of naira ongoing across the Ede Federal Constituency (Source: Salam's statement).

Sources:

  • Asalu's statement at a public forum on transparency and accountability in governance, Osogbo, Osun State capital.
  • Salam's statement to rebut Asalu's allegations.