Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, affirms a significant reduction in the cost of governance during his tenure of the past 10 months, declaring a clampdown on frivolous spending within his administration.
Speaking during his monthly media interaction at the Government House in Umuahia, Otti emphasized a strict adherence to necessary expenditures only.
Asserting financial prudence, Otti revealed that his government has not resorted to borrowing for ongoing road projects across the state, attributing the funding to streamlined governance costs.
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He underscored his commitment to utilizing Abia State funds solely for the benefit of the state, citing effective resource management and expenditure control as driving factors.
Addressing concerns over the state’s debt profile, Otti criticized his predecessor for increasing the debt burden without tangible development outcomes.
Refuting claims of additional borrowing under his administration, Otti pointed to the Debt Management Office’s report, which excluded Abia from the list of borrowing states, thus discrediting opposition allegations.
Regarding pension arrears, Otti assured retirees of prompt payment, highlighting the clearance of a substantial portion of the accumulated debt. He disclosed that N10 billion was allocated for pension arrears settlement, with N9 billion disbursed to 12,500 verified pensioners to date.
Otti emphasized adherence to equitable payment distribution in line with agreements reached with pensioner representatives.
He reiterated his commitment to accountable governance, emphasizing fiscal responsibility, debt management, and pensioner welfare as key priorities of his administration.
