The South East Development Commission (SEDC) has clarified concerns surrounding the ₦153 million expenditure linked to its Abuja office rent, stating that the funds were used for rent, furnishing, and operational setup. The explanation follows scrutiny from the Senate Committee over how the SEDC Abuja office rent was structured and reported.

The Senate Committee raised concerns after reviewing financial records, questioning what appeared to be a high-cost allocation tied to the SEDC Abuja office rent. Lawmakers requested a detailed breakdown of how the ₦153 million was spent, especially given the commission’s headquarters is located in Enugu.

During the oversight session, senators also referenced broader budget performance figures, noting that the commission had received significant allocations for the 2025 fiscal year. This raised further questions about transparency in the management of early-stage spending, including the SEDC Abuja office rent component.

In response, the Managing Director of the SEDC explained that the Abuja office rent figure should not be viewed as a simple lease payment. He stated that it included rent, furnishing, and other operational setup costs required to establish a functional office presence in Abuja.

He further noted that spending decisions were based on actual cash releases rather than full budget projections. According to him, this approach ensures that commitments tied to the SEDC Abuja office rent do not exceed available funding, reducing financial risk.

The Senate committee, however, insisted on full documentation. It requested contracts, payment breakdowns, and supporting records to verify how the SEDC Abuja office rent and related expenses were executed.

The matter remains under review as the committee continues its oversight of the commission’s financial activities.

The SEDC leadership maintained that the ₦153 million figure reflects combined startup costs, including the Abuja office rent, rather than a single expense category.

The controversy has drawn attention to how newly created federal agencies manage initial allocations, especially regarding administrative costs like the SEDC Abuja office rent.

The Senate is expected to continue its review once full documentation is submitted.