Ikpeazu Commissioned Uncompleted Government House, Spirited Away N10 billion on Nonexistent Airport, Alleges Otti
Abia State Governor Alex Otti has accused his predecessor, Okezie Ikpeazu, of committing fraud by commissioning an uncompleted Government House. According to Governor Otti, the previous administration had only completed the ground floor of the building, which was then inaugurated with fanfare.
In an exclusive interview with ARISE News, Governor Otti stated that upon assuming office, he was dismayed to discover that the first and second floors of the Government House were not even plastered, with no sanitary fittings or other essential amenities. “That’s fraud,” he declared, emphasizing that his government has been working tirelessly to correct the deceptive legacies left behind by his predecessor.
When asked if he planned to probe his predecessor, Governor Otti expressed his reluctance to get bogged down in investigations, citing the need to focus on the pressing issues facing the state. “You have only four years, and when you get into some of these distractive things, you lose focus,” he said. However, he revealed that his administration had previously engaged KPMG to audit the state’s accounts, which uncovered a disturbing discrepancy of N10 billion allegedly drawn for a non-existent airport.
Governor Otti maintained that his government has not borrowed a single kobo since taking office, despite inheriting a debt profile of N192 billion, including outstanding salaries, pensions, and debts owed to government parastatals. He attributed this feat to his administration’s prudent management of resources, highlighting that the state’s debt profile had been reduced from
138 billion to 66 billion by the end of last year.
The governor also addressed the issue of pension arrears, which he said his administration had cleared by paying a total of N10 billion to pensioners by Easter last year. He explained that his government had worked closely with pensioners to agree on a payment plan, ensuring that those owed between 45 to 56 months of arrears received their due compensation.
On the state of healthcare in Abia, Governor Otti clarified that the controversial multi-specialist hospital in Aba was not abandoned but repurposed as a general hospital. He explained that the nearby Abia State University Teaching Hospital had regained full accreditation under his watch and now fills the specialist role. The governor revealed that his administration had invested heavily in restoring the teaching hospital’s accreditation, which was lost in 2021 due to neglect by his predecessors.
In a statement that underscored his commitment to the people of Abia State, Governor Otti said, “Nobody is more important to me than Abia people and God.” He reiterated his administration’s determination to prioritize the needs of the state and its citizens, ensuring that the resources available are utilized efficiently to drive development and progress.
As the people of Abia State continue to follow the developments in their state, one thing is clear: Governor Otti’s administration is determined to leave a lasting legacy of transparency, accountability, and progress. With his eyes fixed on the future, the governor remains resolute in his pursuit of a better Abia for all its citizens.
