Abia PDP Tackles Gov Oti, Disputes Claims of N191bn Debt Incurred by Immediate Past Adminstration
From Emmanuel Oji (UMUAHIA)
The Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) Abia State, has challenged Governor Alex Otti on the
claims that the immediate past PDP administration incurred about N191 billion debt.
The party also challenged Governor Alex Otti to publish the list of the contractors who are the beneficiary of the N90 billion debt he claimed his adminstration has paid off.
Governor Otti, at his November 7, 2024 monthly interactive session with the media disclosed that his adminstration, within the short period in office, has paid off about N90 billion out of a total debt profile of N 191 billion inherited mostly from the administration of former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.
Governor Otti also claimed that his Government, so far, has not incurred any new loan either locally and or internationally.
According to him, rather than borrowing to execute its numerous infrastructural projects, his adminstration, apart from operating within the limits of its financial resources, has also defrayed N90bn out of the state’s debt profile as majorly incurred by former Governor Ikpeazu .
Reacting in an open letter addressed to Governor Otti by its newly-elected Chairman, Abraham Amah, the PDP said it is not in the know of any such debts left behind as being claimed by the Governor.
The party noted that it will be in the interest of Abians, if the government could reveal the identities of the contractors who were paid the acclaimed debts .
“The attention of Abia PDP has been drawn to recent claims you made regarding the payment of N90 billion to contractors in our State which you alleged to be debts incurred by the previous PDP-led administration.
“To be clear, the Abia PDP is not aware of the existence of such a debt incurred by the immediate past PDP administration It will serve the interest of Abians if you put out the records as proof of your claims.
“We must express our profound concern regarding your assertion that such a significant sum can be disbursed to settle debts that, as per our understanding, lack verifiable documentation and due process.
“This staggering amount warrants immediate scrutiny and we urge you to provide clarity on how this figure was determined and the basis for these payments.
“In the spirit of transparency and accountability, it is vital that you disclose the names of the individuals and companies that have benefited from these financial transactions .
“The citizens of Abia deserve to know who received these payments as it will help foster public trust in your administration and its financial dealings .
“Moreover, speculations surrounding these payments raise alarm bells among our constituents with your administration, allegedly, enriching Signature Bank with an additional N90 billion.
“It is crucial that you assure the public of the integrity and legitimacy of these transactions. Our people deserve to have confidence in their leaders and without clear communication such confidence is eroded” part of the PDP letter reads .
The Party, therefore, called on the Governor to take immediate action to clarify the present expenditure, as it relates to the payments of a whopping N90 billion”
