Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has acknowledged that he inherited a state in poor condition from his predecessor, Okezie Ikpeazu.
Despite the challenges, including a significant increase in debt and deteriorating infrastructure, Otti is not complaining. Instead, he is focusing on addressing these issues and is particularly concerned about the lack of transparency regarding the use of borrowed funds.
In a recent interview on Channels TV’s Politics Today, Otti shared his concerns. He clarified that his issue is not with the concept of debt itself, but rather with the lack of visible benefits from the borrowed funds.
When asked about the state’s condition upon his assumption of office, Otti confirmed, “Indeed, the state was in a very poor condition. However, I’m not here to complain. I’ve rolled up my sleeves and am addressing the issues head-on.”
Otti expressed his concern about the state’s debt, which had ballooned from N34.4 billion in May 2015 to approximately N192.2 billion eight years later. Despite this increase, he observed no significant improvements in the state. Salaries remained unpaid, pensioners were owed, infrastructure was deteriorating, schools were in a state of disrepair, and hospitals were run down.
The governor questioned the allocation of the borrowed funds, stating, “The real issue is, where did the money go? If I am to incur debt, it will be directed towards regenerative expenditure. However, accruing debt for consumption, without investing in the state or paying salaries, is a matter of concern.”
