The Abia State Government has dismissed the allegation of spending over N900 million on the feeding and welfare of Governor Alex Otti from July 2023 to September 2023.
Prior to this disclaimer, reports had surfaced that a budget performance report showed that the government spent N927 million within three months on meals and refreshments, allowance, settlement of honorarium and welfare packages on behalf of Gov Otti.
It was purported that the Otti-led government spent about N223,389,889.84 on refreshments and meals while the sum f N305,400,000.00 was spent on honorarium and sitting allowances for government officials between July and September 2023.
As a result, several Nigerians took to their social media accounts to lament the excessive spending in the space of three months, especially in light of the current economic reality in the country.
However, in a statement that was released on Monday,Novemeber 20 the media aides to the governor, Ferdinand Ekeoma and Kazie Uko, described the reports as misleading.
The statement had partly read:
“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”.
“The figure above is as gotten in all the Ministries, Departments and Agencies –MDAs, of government and the figure is for the entire state and not for the Office of the Governor, as being falsely published.”
“The above figure also covers expenses for special events, such as retreats, conferences, and related events. The Abia State Government has so far spent the sum of N397,520,734.84 for welfare.”
“The Welfare expenditure is in accordance with the State Fiscal, Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability Program (SFTAS); an enterprise of the Federal Government.”
“It is of note to mention that the Welfare Expenditure covers all the Ministries’ Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and not just the Governor’s Office, as falsely alleged.”
“The expenses under Welfare deal with matters of Health, Rehabilitation and Public Emergencies. The Abia State Government, under the leadership of Dr. Alex C. Otti, OFR, will keep sustaining transparency in governance, as has been shown in the publication of the budget performance report for two successive quarters.” The statement finished.
