Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has denied reports claiming his office allocated N1 billion in the 2026 budget for the purchase of musical instruments for churches in Bende Federal Constituency, Abia State.
In a statement issued on Wednesday through his Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, Kalu clarified that the approved allocation is N780 million, not N1 billion, and said the reports misrepresented both the amount and the purpose of the budget provision.
He explained that after Value Added Tax (VAT) and other statutory deductions, the intervention stands at N780 million and is designed to fund a youth re-orientation and social support programme to be implemented through faith-based organisations.
According to the statement, the funds will be used to procure evangelical instruments and public address systems to support campaigns against drug abuse, sexual offences and violent crimes, while promoting discipline, peace, good values and character development among young people.
Kalu said Bende Federal Constituency comprises 13 electoral wards and more than 200 churches, with the first phase of the programme covering 130 churches.
He noted that the allocation translates to an average of about 10 churches per ward, with each church expected to receive support valued between N5 million and N6 million.
The deputy speaker stressed that the intervention extends beyond the procurement of musical equipment, describing it as an investment in existing church-based youth engagement platforms.
“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 further stated that implementation of the 2026 budget has not commenced and that beneficiary churches will be informed after the procurement process is completed.
He also disclosed that his office has initiated a corrigendum to correct what it described as a technical error in the procurement description before implementation.
The deputy speaker urged the public and media to disregard reports alleging that N1 billion was earmarked solely for church musical instruments, insisting the programme is part of a broader youth development and community value initiative.
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