Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has defended the allocation of N780 million in the 2026 budget for the procurement of musical instruments for churches in Bende Federal Constituency, Abia State, dismissing reports that claimed the budget was N1 billion.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, Kalu said the reports misrepresented both the amount and the purpose of the budgetary provision.
According to him, the allocation is part of a youth reorientation and social support programme that will be implemented through faith-based organisations across the constituency.
Kalu explained that the funds would be used to procure evangelical musical instruments and public address systems to support campaigns against drug abuse, sexual offences, violent crimes and other social vices, while promoting discipline, peace and positive values among young people.
He noted that Bende Federal Constituency has 13 federal electoral wards and more than 200 churches, with the first phase of the programme targeting 130 churches, averaging about 10 churches per ward.
The deputy speaker said each participating church would receive equipment valued at approximately N5 million to N6 million to strengthen youth-focused outreach programmes and community engagement.
“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.
He argued that national development should extend beyond physical infrastructure to include investments in character building and moral values.
Kalu also clarified that the 2026 budget has not yet been implemented and said selected churches would be notified after the procurement process is completed.
He further disclosed that his office had identified a technical error in the procurement description and had already initiated a corrigendum through the Budget Office and the House Committee on Appropriations before implementation.
The deputy speaker urged the public and the media to disregard what he described as sensational reports and support initiatives aimed at strengthening both infrastructure and character development.
