•Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has accused civic organisation, Tracka, of engaging in political mischief over its report concerning the construction and furnishing of an ultra-modern conference and e-learning facility at Bende Secondary Grammar School in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State.
In a statement issued yesterday by the Special Assistant on Press Affairs to the Deputy Speaker, Udora Orizu, the office described the publication by the organisation, identified as “TrackNG,” as misleading and politically motivated.
The statement clarified that the role of a legislator is limited to attracting projects and development initiatives to their constituencies, stressing that lawmakers neither serve as procuring agencies nor supervise the execution of constituency projects.
According to the statement, implementation of such projects lies strictly with the executive arm of government and the relevant agencies responsible for procurement and execution.
“The Office of the Deputy Speaker categorically states that the role of a legislator is to attract projects and development initiatives to his constituency. The legislature neither serves as the procuring agency nor supervises the execution of such projects. Implementation remains strictly the responsibility of the executive arm of government and its relevant agencies,” the statement read.
The office further expressed concern over the use of the Deputy Speaker’s image in connection with the project, insisting that he has no implementation or supervisory responsibility over contracts captured in the federal budget.
It stated that although the office would ordinarily not respond to the publication, it was necessary to prevent members of the public from being misled by what it described as a false narrative.
“It is therefore curious and mischievous that the image of the Deputy Speaker was used in connection with a project over which he has no implementation or supervisory responsibility,” the statement added.
The office called on the appropriate procuring agency to immediately investigate the matter and ensure accountability from whoever was awarded the contract.
It maintained that its primary concern remains the completion and delivery of the project for the benefit of the people of the constituency.
The statement also clarified issues surrounding the location of the project, explaining that the initial reference to Bende Secondary Grammar School was an error because the school already has an ICT centre.
According to the office, the project was originally intended for Onuinyang, and a corrigendum was later issued to correct the location.
“For us, our primary concern remains that the project is completed and delivered for the benefit of the people of the constituency.
“On the issue of the project location, it is important to clarify that the initial naming of Bende Secondary Grammar School was an error, as the school already has an ICT Centre. The project was originally intended for Onuinyang, and a corrigendum was subsequently issued to correct the location accordingly,” the statement noted.
