Abia Explains “N210m Photocopier” Claim as Budget Typo

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The Abia State Government has attributed the N210 million allocation listed for a photocopier in its 2026 budget to a technical error that occurred during the document’s final compilation.

The explanation followed widespread public reaction and criticism over the controversial budget entry.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the state Ministry of Budget and Planning said the sum was never meant for the purchase of a photocopier.

The ministry explained that the “figure that appeared beside the photocopier item on page 289 is not the provision for a photocopier”.

“It is, in fact, the value for a different, larger capital project elsewhere in the budget, which was displaced by the formatting error,” the statement said.

“The budget for the photocopier and sundry office equipment remains ₦12,000,000.00 as correctly stated on page 60.”

The ministry noted that all government procurements are subject to statutory approval processes, including vetting by tenders boards and final clearance by the finance and general purpose committee and the state executive council.

“On page 60 of the said document, the correct and intended provisions are clearly stated as follows: ₦210,831,142.00 was provided for the ‘rehabilitation/repair of residential building/staff quarters for Lagos liaison office,’ while ₦12,000,000.00 was provided for the procurement of one Sharp photocopier and other sundry office equipment for the liaison office,” the statement said.

“A technical error occurred during the final compilation of the voluminous document. On page 289, a misalignment of text and values took place, which inadvertently flipped the descriptions against the figures.”

The ministry said the mistake resulted in a misleading interpretation of the budget entry, adding that the relevant agency has been notified and the correction communicated.

According to the statement, there was no inflation in the cost of the photocopier, stressing that the issue was strictly clerical and presentational.

The ministry apologised for the confusion and reaffirmed its “commitment to transparency, fiscal discipline and accountability in the management of public funds”.