Darlington Orji, Special Adviser to Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, has alleged that members of the Rivers State House of Assembly received N350 million each for constituency projects, despite complaints by some lawmakers that certain payments made to them were not captured in the budget.
Orji made the claim on Friday while speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show, amid rising tensions between the executive and the legislature over the impeachment moves against Governor Fubara and disagreements surrounding the budget process.
According to the governor’s aide, the N350 million payments were disbursed during the tenure of the former Sole Administrator of the state, Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, after the signing of the Appropriation Act.
He also addressed the controversy surrounding a N100,000 payment made in December to civil servants as an end-of-year appreciation, which was reportedly extended to members of the House of Assembly. Orji said some lawmakers rejected the money on the grounds that it was not appropriated.
Questioning the lawmakers’ position, Orji argued that they had earlier accepted far larger sums for constituency projects without raising similar concerns.
“You cannot reject N100,000 because you claim it was not appropriated and then remain silent about N350 million given to each lawmaker for constituency projects,” he said.
Orji insisted that the payments were made after the budget had been signed into law, adding that the lawmakers did not object at the time, including when other benefits such as official vehicles were provided.
He maintained that the governor acted within the law and accused the lawmakers of applying double standards in their claims over budgetary appropriations.
