Former Commissioner for Commerce and Funding in Abia State, John Okiyi Kalu, has countered latest claims by Governor Alex Otti that the earlier administration left behind an empty treasury and indebtedness.
Talking on Come up TV’s This Morning Present on Monday, Kalu accused the governor of misrepresenting information surrounding the state’s monetary place as of Could 29, 2023.
Kalu dismissed Governor Otti’s reliance on a KPMG report, which he described as a “course of assessment doc” somewhat than a forensic audit, because the governor had characterised it.
In keeping with him, the doc clearly acknowledged that the administration of former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu left over N4 billion in money within the state’s Union Bank account.
In keeping with the previous commissioner, “That course of assessment doc says that over N4 billion in money was left for Governor Alex Otti. Now, there have been near-cash devices additionally left for him. For example, the Ikpeazu administration earned 24 billion naira in stamp duties.”
He additional listed extra monetary devices and funds inherited by the present administration, which he argued are being intentionally downplayed.
The previous commissioner alleged that Governor Otti inherited a number of different substantial sources, together with:
- $60 million from the Rural Entry and Mobility Mission (RAMP) fund;
- $225 million from the African Growth Bank (AfDB) for growth initiatives;
- N24 billion in collectible stamp duties.
Otti not honest – ex-commissioner says
Kalu challenged Governor Otti’s competence, questioning his understanding of primary monetary and governance information resembling Internally Generated Income (IGR), Federal Allocation (FAAC) receipts, and public college enrollment within the state.
“For the primary time in my life, I noticed a governor of a state who couldn’t communicate to how a lot the state makes in IGR month-to-month, who doesn’t even know the FAAC receipt on common, who doesn’t even know the general public college enrollment in our state.”
The previous commissioner additionally took problem with Otti’s governance type, significantly his continued residence exterior the official authorities home in Umuahia.
“This man has had two years in workplace. In these two years, he might have accomplished no matter was not accomplished, but he selected to remain in his non-public residence in Mfosi, spend authorities cash to enhance his personal non-public property. The identical governor who advised us that he was in search of N1 billion to return to the brand new authorities home is spending multi-billions within the Asokoro Abia Lodge. The identical governor spent over N800 million to repair the commissioner’s quarters.”
Backstory
Governor Alex Otti had accused his predecessor, former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, of misrepresentation and alleged fraud for commissioning what he described as an uncompleted Authorities Home mission. He claimed the transfer was a part of a broader sample of “misleading legacies” left behind by the earlier administration—points his authorities has been working to deal with since taking workplace.
Governor Otti acknowledged that though the brand new Authorities Home was publicly inaugurated by the Ikpeazu administration, the precise situation of the power when he assumed workplace fell far in need of expectations.
Otti additional emphasised that since taking workplace, his administration has not borrowed a single kobo, regardless of inheriting an enormous debt burden. This consists of unpaid salaries, pensions, and excellent obligations to varied authorities parastatals.
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