Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has called out the immediate past administration, led by Okezie Ikpeazu, demanding the return of looted funds, including those allocated for the abandoned airport project.
Otti emphasized that his administration’s focus is on recovering stolen funds to ensure good governance rather than engaging in personal battles.
Speaking during a solidarity visit by supporters of the member representing Isiala Ngwa South State Constituency, Rowland Chinwendu, Otti reiterated his commitment to the progress and development of Abia State.
He pointed out that since the airport project was not executed despite budget allocations, the money allocated for it should be refunded to the state’s coffers.
Expressing his disappointment at the backlash he received after disclosing the findings of the forensic audit report, Otti emphasized that his goal is solely to recover misappropriated funds.
He clarified that his administration is not pursuing individuals but is focused on retrieving stolen funds to facilitate development in the state.
Otti stated, “I established a forensic audit of our accounts as soon as I was sworn in, and the report reveals that a significant amount of money was looted, stolen brazenly.
Part of the misappropriated funds includes the N10 billion allocated for the Abia Airport Project.
They started insulting me when I disclosed this. However, if the airport project was not executed, they must refund the allocated funds.”
“We are not targeting anyone; they should return the money they stole so we can utilize it for the development of our state.
Our priority is the development of Abia State. We will continue to build roads, clean up the environment, and create job opportunities,” Otti added.
During the visit, the member representing Isiala Ngwa South State Constituency, Rowland Chinwendu, expressed his gratitude to the governor for the ongoing reconstruction of the Umuikaa-Umuene road and other projects in his constituency.
He emphasized his commitment to representing the interests of his constituents and working in collaboration with the governor for the overall development of the state.
