- Says Otti Has Spent N9bn On Research In Abia State
By Abiola Olawale
The fierce battle of words between the camp of the immediate-past Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu and the camp of the incumbent Governor, Alex Otti has continued to escalate as a former Commissioner for Information in Abia State, Chief John Okiyi-Kalu, has bombed the incumbent administration in the state of allegedly distorting facts to mislead the people.
This is as the former commissioner said that the Abia Financial review report done by Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler (KPMG), confirms that Ikpeazu left a net credit balance of N3.48 billion for Governor Otti.
Okiyi-Kalu further explained that the cash in the bank was different from other near-cash assets, such as a 3.5% share in Aba Independent Power Project (IPP) Geometric which was now valued at N80 billion, among others.
According to him, the net credit balance of N3.48 billion was enough to pay two months’ workers’ salaries in Abia State.
The former commissioner wondered why a man who left such an amount of money should constantly be demonized by the incumbent Governor.
He said: “How much did Governor Alex Otti pay KPMG? Abians deserve to know because we are already paying a state-owned audit unit that would have done a far better job.
“So far, Otti’s government has spent N9 billion on a subhead called “research & development”. What is he researching and developing in Abia State? Check quarterly financial reports published by his administration, if in doubt.
“Based on antecedent, never trust anything said by Governor Otti. He lies and misrepresents facts too frequently to be taken seriously.
“Did you notice that after I responded to his allegation of missing N10b with details of road contractors paid from the money, he said, “The money was moved into 32 different accounts” instead of the money being paid into 32 road contractors’ accounts?”
He said that he remained grateful to whoever forced Otti to leak the KPMG report, stressing that at face value, the report exonerated Ikpeazu of any wrongdoing and highlighted the leadership shortcomings of Otti.
“A Governor does not award contracts in Abia State and a Governor does not sign Cheques. It is the Finance & General Purpose Committee (F & GPC) that reviews tenders, recommend companies for the award of contracts and passes the same to State Exco for approval.
“Similarly, only the top officials of the Ministry of Finance sign State Government Cheques and at the level of ministries it is the Permanent Secretary and Director of Finance.
“As a Commissioner in Abia State for six years I never signed any government or ministry cheque because it is not within my remit. Where then is the evidence of Dr Ikpeazu stealing N10bn meant for Abia Airport.”
It would be recalled that the Abia state government on Monday released a detailed forensic audit report of the administration of Ikpeazu.
The 360-page report was released by the Commissioner of Information, Prince Okey Kanu, during the post-State Executive Council meeting press briefing in the late hours of Monday.
Speaking on the report, Kanu said the audit report fingered the administration of Ikpeazu on how they authorized the release of N10 billion from the state coffers to build Abia Airport and later allegedly instructed the contractor to wire the funds into 32 different accounts.
However, reacting to the allegations, Ikpeazu through John Kalu, his former information commissioner, had said after the funds for the construction of the airport were approved, traditional rulers requested that the project be suspended and the fund redeployed for road construction.
