The governor of Abia, Alex Otti, says past administrations in the state “brazenly” looted funds allocated for a non-existent airport.
NAN reports that the governor spoke on Sunday during an interactive session in Isiala Ngwa south LGA of the state.
Otti succeeded Okezie Ikpeazu who was Abia governor from 2015 to 2023.
He stated that following his assumption of office, his administration established a forensic audit to review the state’s treasury.
The governor said the audit report showed that “a lot of money was looted and stolen brazenly” for fictional 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.”
Governor Otti pronounced that his government will make use of recovered money for the development of the state.
He then praised Roland Chinwendu, Abia house of assembly member representing Isiala Ngwa south state constituency, for playing “politics of no bitterness”.
Otti disclosed that 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 own words, Chinwendu said Governor Otti is committed to good governance and therefore needs the support of everyone.