Abia denies spending N927m on meals in Q3, says only N223m was spent

The Abia government has denied reports that it spent N927 million on meals and welfare packages in three months.

Alex Otti, governor of Abia, was reported to have spent close to a billion naira in the third quarter of 2023 on refreshment/meals, settlement of honorarium, allowances and welfare packages.

In a statement on Monday, Kazie Uko, chief press secretary to the governor, said the total amount spent so far on meals and refreshment in the third quarter of the year was N223,389.889.84.

Uko said the figure covered what was spent for the entire state government and not just for the office of the governor as claimed by the report.

He added that the state government only spent N397,520,734.84 on welfare, which covers all ministries, departments and agencies.

“Following the publication of the Q3 budget report of the Abia state government, and in line with the government’s commitment to transparency, good governance and fiscal discipline, it has become necessary to shed more light on the aforementioned report,” the statement reads.

“This is even more so when there are certain distorted reports on social media, alleging that the Abia state government had spent close to one billion naira on feeding and welfare for the governor’s office, within the period under review.

“The accurate situation is that nothing in that region has been spent in the governor’s office.

“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 captured in all the ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) of government.

“Please, note that this figure is for the entire state and not for the office of the governor, as being erroneously portrayed.

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

“For welfare, the Abia state government has so far spent the sum of N397,520,734.84.

“Also note that the welfare expenditure covers all the ministries departments and agencies (MDAs) and not just the governor’s office, as wrongly alleged.

“Expenses under welfare deal with issues of health, rehabilitation and public emergencies in line with the state fiscal, transparency, accountability and sustainability programme (SFTAS).”

Uko assured the public that the Otti administration will continue to uphold transparency in governance.

“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. Thank you,” he added.