Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has denied reports claiming that 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 by his Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, Kalu clarified that the approved budget for the initiative is N780 million, contrary to reports circulating in the media.
He said the reports misrepresented both the amount approved and the objective of the programme.
According to the deputy speaker, the allocation, after VAT and other statutory deductions, amounts to N780 million and is intended to fund a youth reorientation and community support programme that will be implemented through churches.
“The funds are intended to support the purchase of evangelical instruments and public address systems to promote campaigns against vices like the spread of narcotics, sexual offences, and violent crimes while instilling discipline, values, peace and character development among young people in the communities,” the statement read.
Kalu said the constituency has 13 electoral wards and over 200 churches, with the first phase of the project expected to cover 130 churches.
“Bende has 13 federal political/electoral wards and over 200 churches. The first phase of this support targets 130 of these churches, averaging about 10 churches per ward, which amounts to approximately N5 million to N6 million per church,” he said.
He explained that the programme is focused on supporting churches as platforms for youth engagement, moral instruction and community development, rather than simply supplying musical instruments.
“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,” he said.
Kalu also noted that the 2026 budget has not yet been implemented and said beneficiary churches would be contacted after the procurement process is completed.
He added that his office has already begun the process of correcting what it described as a technical error in the procurement description before implementation begins.
The deputy speaker urged Nigerians to disregard reports suggesting that N1 billion was earmarked solely for church musical instruments, insisting the project is aimed at youth development and strengthening positive community values.
