ABUJA — The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu (APC, Ekiti South), has responded to claims that senators receive N2 billion each for constituency projects. He clarified that each senator nominates projects under the Zonal Intervention Projects (ZIP) to the tune of N225 million annually, emphasizing that the funds are not directly given to senators.

In an interview with Vanguard yesterday, Adaramodu explained, “Each of the 109 senators nominates projects under ZIP to the tune of N225 million in each budget cycle. The money is not given to senators or the executive; they only propose the projects, which are then awarded, funded, executed, and supervised by the Federal Government through relevant agencies.”

He added, “For my district, which comprises six local government areas, 48 towns, and 50 wards, the N225 million covers a variety of projects such as boreholes, road repairs, and school improvements. These projects are rotated within the four-year legislative term—sometimes one area gets boreholes, other times roads or street lights. It’s a continuous process to serve all parts of the district.”

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Adaramodu further disclosed that a member of the House of Representatives nominates projects worth N169 million, also through statutory processes. He acknowledged that senators often lobby Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to include additional projects—like water supply, schools, or empowerment programs—because constituents expect tangible results from their lawmakers.

He emphasized, “The constituency projects are called Zonal Intervention Projects. Senators don’t receive the funds directly. They nominate projects—N225 million per senator—and these are awarded and executed by MDAs. The Senate and the House of Representatives also have similar allocations, with members lobbying to augment their projects for maximum impact.”

Adaramodu pointed out that the projects aim to bring government closer to the people, reinforcing the importance of visible and beneficial community development.

This clarification comes against the backdrop of a viral video by APC chieftain Engr. Asalu Ayodele David, popularly known as Asler, who claimed that constituency allocations had increased to N1 billion per federal constituency and N2 billion per senatorials—assertions that Adaramodu dismissed as misconceptions, reiterating that the statutory N225 million remains the standard for senators.

Earlier, during the 2024 budget defense, allegations surfaced that the National Assembly padded the budget by N3 trillion and awarded contracts exceeding N500 million to some members for constituency projects. Senator Agom Jarigbe (PDP, Cross River North) accused ranking senators of receiving N500 million each for their projects, with some receiving less, provoking a heated debate on budget allocations and possible padding.

The Senate leadership, including Senate Leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), condemned the claims, saying: “with Ningi, a senator involved in the controversy, being suspended for three months for making unverified allegations that the budget was padded by N3.7 trillion. Ningi was later recalled and resumed parliamentary duties in June, asserting, “It’s time to move on.”

Senator Ningi expressed appreciation for his recall, asserting, “I commend the Senate leadership and colleagues for recalling me from suspension. I was in Turkey when I heard the news and I am ready to continue serving.”

In response to the claims, Adaramodu reiterated, “There is no truth to the figure of N2 billion per senator for constituency projects. What exists is the statutory N225 million, and the rest are projects proposed and executed through MDAs to promote development and service delivery.”