The Abia State Ministry of Budget and Planning has issued a clarification regarding public concerns over budgetary provisions for the Lagos Liaison Office in the 2026 Appropriation Law. The ministry said recent commentaries questioning specific allocations stemmed from a technical error in the presentation of figures in the published budget document.
In a statement released to address the controversy, the ministry explained that the 2026 fiscal budget was officially published on January 31, 2026, through its website to promote transparency and public access to government financial records. Officials stressed that the publication aligns with the administration’s commitment to accountability and open governance.
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According to the ministry, the correct allocations were clearly stated on Page 60 of the budget document. The government earmarked the sum of N210,831,142 for the rehabilitation and repair of residential buildings and staff quarters attached to the Lagos Liaison Office. Additionally, N12 million was approved for the procurement of a Sharp copier and other office equipment for the facility.
The ministry further explained that confusion arose due to a technical formatting error during the final compilation of the extensive budget document. Officials disclosed that the mistake occurred on Page 289, where text descriptions were wrongly aligned with corresponding financial figures, resulting in inaccurate interpretation of the allocations.
Authorities clarified that the N250 million figure that appeared alongside the copier item on the affected page does not relate to the purchase of office equipment. The ministry stated that the amount was meant for a separate and larger capital project located elsewhere in the budget but was mistakenly displaced during document formatting.
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The ministry emphasised that the approved budget for the copier and other related office equipment remains N12 million, as accurately reflected in the original provision. Officials noted that the relevant agency has already been notified and corrections have been initiated to eliminate any misunderstanding.
The government reiterated that there was no inflation or misrepresentation of procurement costs within the budget. It described the issue as a purely clerical and presentational error that occurred during document preparation and compilation.
The ministry urged the public to rely on verified official records and reassured residents of its commitment to transparency, fiscal discipline, and accurate reporting of government expenditures in line with established public finance standards.
