Governor of Abia state, Alex Otti, has revealed that his administration has thus far paid off N72 billion out of the N138 billion debt it inherited from earlier administrations upon assuming workplace in Might 2023, with out taking over any new debt.
Talking throughout the April version of the month-to-month media parley held on the Authorities Home in Umuahia on Wednesday, Governor Otti cited figures from the Debt Administration Workplace (DMO), which point out that the state’s debt has now dropped to N66 billion as of December 2024.
“In order that being, by their very own numbers, we’ve paid down N72 billion of inherited debt and we’ve added no dime in borrowing,” the governor stated.
Governor Otti reiterated his dedication to {financial} self-discipline, noting that the state’s progress in debt discount is a results of fiscal prudence, credibility, and strategic negotiation in authorities transactions.
“On the administration of our assets, we are going to proceed to be prudent and to make sure that no kobo of Abia cash is wasted. Some individuals are used to losing cash. However this authorities is an excellent authorities,” he added.
He defined that the debt determine inherited, as acknowledged by the DMO, seemingly underestimates the precise legal responsibility. The state’s inside assessments, he stated, embrace backlogs of unpaid salaries, pensions, and contractor obligations that weren’t captured within the federal company’s report.
Healthcare Investments and Medical Metropolis Undertaking
Offering updates on healthcare, Otti spoke on the continuing “Undertaking Ekwueme,” which entails the development and renovation of 200 main healthcare centres throughout the state, with help for an extra 67 centres from the World {Bank}.
“Info accessible to me is that about 103 of the 200 main well being centres are in several levels of completion. On the common, we’ve attained about 70% completion,” he stated.
- He additionally introduced the graduation of retrofitting basic hospitals and a brand new compensation package deal for healthcare staff. The administration has authorised the recruitment of 771 well being personnel to spice up service supply.
- Of specific observe is the deliberate inauguration of the Abia Medical Metropolis, a landmark well being infrastructure venture backed by a $1.3 billion personal funding.
“Now we have signed off on a brand new improve and switch mannequin with a reputable companion who has secured the funding. Now we have seen the color of the cash,” Otti stated.
- The governor expressed confidence that the Medical Metropolis would assist stem Nigeria’s estimated $2 billion annual expenditure on medical tourism by attracting at the very least 10% of that spending again into the nation.
- In training, Governor Otti famous a spike in scholar enrollment following the introduction of free and obligatory primary training within the state.
“In the meanwhile, we’ve about 700,000 Abia kids having fun with the free training launched by the federal government,” he stated.
To deal with the surge in pupil numbers and preserve high quality requirements, the state authorities has authorised the employment of 9,000 extra academics to bridge the student-teacher ratio.
Infrastructure Tasks Close to Completion
On infrastructure, Governor Otti disclosed that the long-awaited Port Harcourt Street in Aba, being dealt with by Julius Berger, is nearing completion and shall be commissioned on Might 29. The highway, which is a key {economic} artery within the industrial metropolis, has been a precedence for the administration on account of its potential to spur enterprise actions and ease visitors congestion.
Otti reaffirmed the administration’s zero-tolerance coverage on crime, urging residents to stay vigilant and cooperate with safety businesses. He additionally famous that steps had been taken to spice up agricultural productiveness throughout the state, although he didn’t present specifics.
Governor Otti additionally used the chance to warn towards misreporting by the media and inspired journalists to confirm government-related info by official communication channels.


