Tracka Raises Alarm Over Undelivered FG-Funded Projects Worth Over ₦1.4 Billion in Ben Kalu’s constituency

Civic organisation Tracka has called for urgent investigation into five federal government-funded projects in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, alleging that contractors were paid between September and December 2025, yet the projects remain largely undelivered as of June 2026 field visits.

In an open letter addressed to Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, whose Bende Federal Constituency covers the area, Tracka detailed the projects totaling over ₦1.4 billion.

The group, a BudgIT initiative focused on monitoring public projects, stated that residents in the affected communities reported little to no knowledge of the initiatives.

The projects in question include, two hybrid automated cassava processing centers at Ezeukwu and Umuhu Ezechi communities, 2km Amaeke-Umuhu Ezechi road and 579 Solar streetlights across Igbere A, Igbere B, and Ugwueke/Ezeukwu wards.

According to Tracka’s report, the Amaeke–Umuhu Ezechi Road shows signs of abandoned work that reportedly halted in 2024, despite payment records.

The cassava processing centres and solar streetlights appear not to have been implemented or commissioned, leaving communities without the intended benefits for livelihoods, security (via lighting), and economic development.

“These projects were intended to improve livelihoods, strengthen security, and support local economic development. Communities should not be left waiting after public funds have been disbursed,” the organisation stated.

Tracka urged Deputy Speaker Kalu to facilitate engagement with implementing Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) and contractors.

It also called on the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts to probe the status of the projects and ensure accountability.

This latest report follows earlier scrutiny by Tracka of another constituency project linked to the Deputy Speaker’s office.

In May 2026, the group highlighted concerns over a ₦265.3 million ultra-modern conference and e-learning facility captured in the 2024 budget, even as Kalu’s office described those claims as misleading and politically motivated, clarifying that legislators attract projects but do not handle procurement or execution, which falls to executive agencies.

The office also noted a location correction via budget corrigendum and called for investigation by relevant authorities to ensure completion.

Kalu has previously commissioned several infrastructure projects in Bende Federal Constituency, including classroom blocks, roads, solar power initiatives, and boreholes, positioning them as efforts to deliver on constituency needs with federal support.

As of the time of this report, no official response from Deputy Speaker Kalu or the relevant MDAs to the latest TrackaNG allegations has been publicly detailed.

The matter underscores ongoing calls for transparency in the execution of constituency and federal projects across Nigeria.