Senators representing the five Southeastern states have voiced strong opposition to what they describe as the deliberate exclusion of the region from the Federal Government's N380 billion irrigation development fund.

During Thursday's plenary session, Senator Kenneth Eze of Ebonyi Central Senatorial zone presented a motion highlighting that while N380 billion was earmarked for irrigation projects through various River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs) in the 2025 budget, the Anambra-Imo River Basin Development Authority—the only RBDA serving the entire Southeast—received no allocation.

"In the 2025 Appropriations Act, the sum of N3.2 trillion was allocated under the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund, out of which N380 billion was earmarked specifically for Irrigation Development Projects," Senator Eze stated. "However, the implementation plan completely excluded the Anambra-Imo River Basin Development Authority."

The Senator provided a breakdown of allocations to other regions: Benin-Owena RBDA (South-South/South-West) received N42.2 billion; Chad Basin RBDA (North-East) got N40 billion; while Hadejia-Jama'are RBDA (North-West/North-East) was allocated N66.96 billion. Other beneficiaries included Ogun-Osun RBDA (South-West) with N45.4 billion, Sokoto-Rima RBDA (North-West) with N43 billion, Upper Benue (North-East) with N40 billion, and Upper Niger RBDA (North-Central/North-West) with N24 billion.

Senator Eze argued that this exclusion contradicts the principles of equity, justice, and balanced development that form the cornerstone of President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda.

"The South East zone is blessed with vast arable and fertile lands across Enugu, Ebonyi, Imo, Abia, and Anambra States, and has historically contributed significantly to Nigeria's agricultural sector," he noted. According to him, the region accounts for over 30% of national yam production, over 15% of Nigeria's cassava, and remains a major hub for rice farming.

The motion was seconded by Senator Osita Ngwu of Enugu West, who described the omission as "very expensive" and lamented the continued marginalization of the Southeast. He specifically mentioned the Ivo Dam, which has remained abandoned for 12 years after receiving only N5 billion in funding.

"A zone is allocated N66 billion, and the entire South-East has zero. What kind of omission is that? We should be treated better than this," Senator Ngwu emphasized.

The Senators called on the Federal Government to take immediate remedial actions to address this exclusion, warning that it could deepen perceptions of marginalization and inequity in federal resource distribution.

Several irrigation projects in the region that could benefit from the fund were identified, including the Ozara Okangwu Agri-Business Cluster requiring a mini-dam on the Etsu River in Ebonyi State, the Ivo Dam Irrigation Project spanning Enugu and Ebonyi States, Item Amegu Rice Farm Dam in Ebonyi State, Amauzari Earth Dam in Imo State, and Ifite Ogwari/Omor Dam in Anambra State.

The Senate is expected to deliberate further on the motion and make recommendations to the executive arm of government regarding the equitable distribution of national resources.