By Oluebube A. Chukwu
Governor Alex Otti, in a recent address at the Government House, Umuahia, emphasized his administration’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption, targeting a pension fund fraud scheme involving civil servants. Speaking at the monthly forum, “Dr. Alex Otti Speaks to Abians,” Governor Otti stated that Abia State will prosecute all suspects linked to the fraudulent scheme, reinforcing his administration’s commitment to ethical and Due Process Engineering in governance.
Governor Otti outlined how his team responded swiftly upon discovering the pension fraud. “We continued with our efforts to sanitize the civil service. I’m sure you would have heard some reports about some civil servants who were involved in pension fraud,” he explained. Those implicated will soon face prosecution, with a firm directive to bring them before the court to answer for their actions.
The Governor revealed that roughly ten individuals are involved in the scheme, including some residing outside Nigeria. “We are going to repatriate them to answer to the State of their sins,” he announced. Governor Otti’s actions underscore his administration’s resolve to protect public funds and restore accountability across government functions, aiming to dismantle entrenched corruption.
Despite criticism from some opposition voices who have publicly objected to the arrests, Our diligent, pragmatic and people’s oriented Governor Otti stood firm, condemning anyone defending corrupt practices. “We can’t tolerate that kind of corruption. No matter who is involved, people who are defending thieves should be perceived and treated like thieves,” he stated, warning detractors that supporting corrupt activities will not be accepted.
In addition to addressing corruption, Governor Otti is prioritizing accuracy in financial management, as an acclaimed financial expert, he directed the Accountant-General and the Commissioner for Finance to correct any errors affecting the new minimum wage payments after receiving reports of computational issues. “I have directed them to sit down and correct those errors so that we don’t have complaints coming from there,” he affirmed, signaling his commitment to fair and timely payments for Abia workers.
Governor Otti’s development agenda includes expanding healthcare access. Plans are underway to upgrade 200 primary healthcare centers across Abia’s three senatorial zones, aiming to complete these upgrades before moving to another 200 facilities. “By the time we are done with the 200, we will move to another 200 until we touch every primary healthcare center in the State,” he said. Additionally, 22 secondary healthcare centers are receiving gradual improvements to support the state’s healthcare system.
Governor Otti’s administration is also exploring sustainable transportation solutions. He announced plans to introduce electric vehicle buses for intra- and inter-city transit, a move designed to offset the impact of fuel subsidy removal. Discussions around these electric buses have reached advanced stages, reflecting the government’s commitment to modernizing the state’s infrastructure and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Financial discipline remains central to Governor Otti’s leadership. He highlighted that his administration has already cleared almost N90 billion of the N191 billion debt inherited in May 2023 without resorting to loans. His administration continues to invest in crucial areas such as road repairs, healthcare, school upgrades, and security improvements. “So far, my administration has not borrowed a Kobo but has continued to fix roads, provide quality healthcare, renovate schools, and tackle security challenges,” he said, urging the people of Abia to support these transformative initiatives.
Governor Otti’s approach, marked by transparency, fiscal responsibility, and a zero-tolerance stance on corruption, sets a new course for Abia State’s future. As his administration tackles these challenges head-on, Governor Otti’s call for continued support reflects his belief in a collective effort toward lasting progress and accountability in Abia.
Oluebube A. Chukwu, PhD writes from Umuahia.
