Abdulraheem muhammed olarewaju
The Minority Whip of the House of Representatives, Isa Ali, has disclosed that each House of Representatives member receives roughly N400 million to carry out Special Intervention Projects (SIPs) and Zonal Intervention Projects (ZIPs).
Ali, representing the Billiri/Balanga Federal Constituency, made this revelation during a town hall gathering meant to update constituents on recent events. He stated that SIPs receive N40 million, while ZIPs receive N179 million, with N200 million set aside for improvements in the Billiri/Balanga constituency alone.
Ali explained, “If you look at one of the measures I’m sponsoring, federal constituencies and senatorial districts fund development to enable every constituency and senatorial district to have large projects. When you visit most of these seats, you will not find Federal Government initiatives distinct from the programs carried out by National Assembly members.”
Nigerians have reacted with skepticism and frustration to this disclosure.
Obaji Nsor, a Facebook user, voiced his distrust, saying, “They keep on sinking Nigeria’s money. Let them come and show us any projects they have done. Wickedness.”
Abubakar Yusuf bluntly commented, “It is not a constituency project but a kickback.”
Adnan Ahmad expressed his frustration, stating, “This is simply a way to protest. The protest should get our right from the hands of the bad government, but protest can treat the heart of these slave foreign country Senators and Reps while they are stealing property and taking it to foreign countries.”
Nîçê Mân highlighted long-standing exploitation, saying, “And yet they do nothing! Friends, we’ve been exploited for too long; we’ve been fooled for too long; we’ve been intimidated for too long. It’s time to rise up and do what we can for the betterment of our lives.”
Jauro Sadiq emphasized the need for change, “They borrow and share as constituency project money, which is hardly executed. There is a need to end bad governance for sure. Nigerians must wake up.”
Elder Onwu Samson Onwu provided insight into the systemic issues, “The monies are not released directly to members’ accounts but to contractors and agencies handling them. The problem is that some members connive with contractors, sell the projects or take huge kickbacks, leaving the contractors with the option of executing substandard projects.”
Ayamingo Ogo expressed his disillusionment, “At times, I wonder why our politicians have such a mind against even their own people. If the white man is still ruling us, we would’ve been more developed than what we are seeing.”
Efiok WilsonUdom warned about the risks of protesting without genuine commitment, “I risk being attacked, abused, and brandished by social media mad dogs, but I bet you, many of those shouting ‘protest!!!’ on social media will not come out throughout the duration of the protest… Yes, those who were arrested and thrown into prisons during the EndSARS protest were abandoned and are still languishing in prison today.”
