Gov. Otti Denies Spending Almost One Billion Naira on Feeding, Personal Welfare

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti has denied spending nearly one billion Naira on his feeding and personal welfare, saying such information is untrue, ABN TV reports.

The governor’s chief press secretary, Kazie Uko, and his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma in a statement titled, “ABIA STATE Q3 BUDGET EXPENSES: UNDERSTANDING THE ISSUES” said Abia State Government did not spend close to One Billion Naira on feeding and welfare for the Governor’s Office, within the period of three months.

The statement said 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.

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It says, “1. 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.

“2. The figure above is as captured in all the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of government.

“3. Please, NOTE that this figure is for the entire state and not for the Office of the Governor, as being erroneously portrayed.

“4. The stated figure covers expenses for special events, such as retreats, conferences, and related events.

“5. For welfare, the Abia State Government has so far spent the sum of N397,520,734.84.

“6. The Welfare expenditure is in line with the State Fiscal, Transparency, Accountability, and Sustainability Programme (SFTAS); an initiative of the Federal Government.

“7. Also NOTE that the Welfare Expenditure covers all the Ministries’ Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and not just the Governor’s Office, as wrongly alleged.

“8. 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.”