The Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has denied spending N927 Million on meals and welfare. Reacting to this allegation, the media aides to the Governor, Ferdinand Ekeoma and Kazie Uko, released a statement on Monday describing the report as false.
The statement reads in parts, “The total amount spent so far by the entire government of Abia State for Refreshments and Meals for the period is N223,389,889.84,” the statement read.
“The figure above is as captured in all the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of the government. Please note that this figure is for the entire state and not for the Office of the Governor, as erroneously portrayed.
“The stated figure covers expenses for special events, such as retreats, conferences, and related events. For welfare, the Abia State Government has so far spent the sum of N397,520,734.84.”
“The Welfare expenditure is in line with the State Fiscal, Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability Programme (SFTAS); an initiative of the Federal Government. Also, note that the Welfare Expenditure covers all the Ministries’ Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and not just the Governor’s Office, as wrongly alleged.
“Expenses under Welfare deal with issues of Health, Rehabilitation, and Public Emergencies. The Abia State Government, under the leadership of Dr. Alex C. Otti, OFR, will continue to uphold transparency in governance, as has been demonstrated in the publication of the budget performance report for two consecutive quarters.”
In a report that surfaced earlier, the budget performance showed that the Alex Otti-led administration in Abia State had spent N927 Million on meals and welfare within the past three months from July to September.
In reaction to this development, netizens took to social media to express displeasure about how Governor Otti could allow for such a level of expenditure in the face of the adverse hardships faced by the people.
