TheCable

Alex Otti, governor of Abia, says the past administration in the state “brazenly” looted funds earmarked for a non-existent airport. 

NAN reports that Otti spoke on Sunday during an interactive session in Isiala Ngwa south LGA of the state.

Otti succeeded Okezie Ikpeazu who was governor from 2015 to 2023.

The governor said upon assumption of office, his administration set up a forensic audit to review the state’s treasury. 

Otti said the audit report revealed that “a lot of money was looted and stolen brazenly” for non-existing projects, including the airport project.

“I am looking for the airport for which funds were moved from the coffers of the government,” Otti said.

“The people concerned with the act of moving the airport project funds in question went to the media and began to say all manner of things.

“If you are following the happenings in the media space, you will see these things there. The problem with lying is that when you tell one lie, you will need another one to cover the first lie and three more lies to cover the second one.

“We are looking for our money and we must find our money. If we don’t find the airport, then they will refund our money.”

The governor said his government will utilise recovered money for the development of the state.

Otti lauded Roland Chinwendu, Abia house of assembly member representing Isiala Ngwa south state constituency, for playing “politics of no bitterness”.

The governor said when he assumed office, Chinwendu, who is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), paid him a visit and expressed readiness to support the state government.

“Immediately after the elections, he came to me to make it clear that as the member representing my constituency, he would work with me to move Abia forward,” Otti said.

“It is worthy of note that he is a member of the PDP and I commend him for that.”

In his remarks, Chinwendu said Otti is committed to good governance and needs the support of everyone.