Abia State Governor Alex Otti has revealed that his administration has successfully paid N72 billion of the N138 billion debt inherited from previous administrations, without accumulating any new borrowings.
Speaking during the monthly media briefing on Wednesday at the Government House, Umuahia, Otti highlighted the state’s commitment to financial discipline and transparent governance. According to figures from the Debt Management Office (DMO) as of December 2024, the state’s debt profile now stands at N66 billion.
“We have paid down N72 billion of inherited debt and added no dime in borrowing,” Otti stated.
“We will continue to be prudent and ensure that no kobo of Abia money is wasted.”
The 9am News report notes that Otti emphasized the inherited debt may actually be higher than DMO’s estimate, as it likely excludes salary and pension arrears, as well as contractors’ obligations.
Otti provided updates on Project Ekwueme, the state’s initiative to renovate and construct 200 primary healthcare centres, alongside 67 centres supported by the World Bank. He reported that 103 of the state-funded centres are at various stages of completion, averaging 70% completion.
He also announced retrofitting work at general hospitals and improvements in healthcare workforce capacity, including the recruitment of 771 additional health workers and enhanced compensation packages.
Highlighting a major investment, Otti confirmed that the Abia Medical City Project, backed by a $1.3 billion investment, will launch on May 29. The project is designed to tap into Nigeria’s $2 billion annual medical tourism market, aiming to reclaim at least 10% of that spending.
In education, Otti said the introduction of free and compulsory basic education has spurred enrolment, benefiting around 700,000 children. To support this growth, the government has approved the hiring of 9,000 teachers.
Infrastructure-wise, Otti announced that the much-anticipated Port Harcourt Road in Aba, handled by Julius Berger, will be completed and inaugurated on May 29.
The governor reiterated his commitment to bolstering agricultural productivity across the state and reaffirmed a zero-tolerance stance on crime, urging citizens to stay vigilant.
Otti concluded by urging media outlets to report responsibly and verify information through official channels to maintain transparency and accuracy.
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