The Office of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu has rejected a recent report on Federal Government projects in Bende Federal Constituency by civic accountability organisation Tracka, describing it as false, misleading, and politically motivated.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker, Levinus Nwabughiogu, the Office said the “field tracking” report, which it noted was published on July 15, 2026 and later removed from Tracka’s Facebook page within 24 hours, misrepresented the status of several projects facilitated for the constituency.
The statement argued that the report reflected a misunderstanding of how Federal Government projects are executed and implemented through relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
Responding to claims that the 2-kilometre Amaeke–Isiegbu–Umuhu Ezechi Road had been abandoned since 2024, the Deputy Speaker’s Office maintained that the project had been fully completed and commissioned.
According to the statement, the road is fully motorable and is being used daily by residents, including farmers, traders, and students, adding that describing it as abandoned does not reflect the situation on the ground.
The Office also addressed allegations that cassava processing centres at Ezeukwu and Umuhu Ezechi do not exist, explaining that the physical structures have been completed.
It stated that while the project was initially misclassified by the implementing MDA, the issue has since been corrected, noting that the remaining stage involves the procurement and installation of processing equipment, a responsibility it said lies solely with the implementing agency.
The statement further argued that the pending installation of equipment should not be interpreted as evidence that the project was not delivered, stressing that the buildings have been completed, connected to electricity, and are awaiting commissioning.
On claims that residents were unaware of 579 solar streetlights reportedly installed across Igbere A, Igbere B, and Ugwueke/Ezeukwu wards, the Office insisted that the facilities had been installed and were operational.
According to the statement, the solar streetlights illuminate roads, markets, junctions, and residential areas, improving security and supporting commercial activities within the communities.
The Deputy Speaker’s Office also clarified that the constitutional responsibility of a legislator is to facilitate projects, provide oversight, legislate, and represent constituents, rather than execute projects directly.
It maintained that Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu’s role was to attract Federal Government projects to Bende through engagement with relevant MDAs, while execution and procurement remain the statutory responsibilities of the implementing agencies and contractors.
The Office further contended that Tracka’s recommendation that the Deputy Speaker should “facilitate engagement” acknowledged that he had successfully attracted the projects to the constituency.
While reaffirming its support for transparency and accountability, the statement alleged that the timing and tone of the report suggested an attempt to undermine development efforts in Bende Federal Constituency.
The Office invited the authors of the report to revisit the project sites, inspect the completed road and cassava processing facilities, and assess the operation of the solar streetlights before drawing conclusions.
It maintained that public funds had translated into tangible development in the constituency and urged stakeholders to base public discourse on verified facts rather than what it described as politically motivated misinformation.
