Chukwuemeka Agwoawike
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti says the N10 billion Abia Airport project was transferred to 32 different accounts before it was allegedly looted by the immediate past administration of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.
Governor Otti who was speaking during the monthly media chat in Umuahia, the state capital also said the forensic audit report which purportedly indicted the immediate past administration of diverting billions of state funds, will soon be made public.
It had been a season of war of words between the administration of Governor Alex Otti and that of his predecessor, Okezie Ikpeazu over alleged indictment by a forensic audit report on N10 billion Abia Airport project fund.
Governor Otti says he is not leaving any stone unturned in his effort to recover the said controversial Airport project fund.
The Governor’s position is coming on the backdrop of recent denials by the immediate past administration on its alleged misappropriation of state funds. The Ikpeazu-led administration had made some clarifications that the Airport project fund was diverted to road projects, challenging Governor Otti to make public the report of the said forensic audit.
Now, Governor Otti has taken up that challenge, assuring the people that he will soon release the details of the contentious forensic audit report on the finances of Abia State Government under the eight years of the Okezie Ikpeazu administration.
The Governor made it clear that his interest is for the money to be refunded rather than sending anyone to jail.
The Governor who said he was not surprised at the initial attempt by his predecessor to deny the withdrawal of the Airport project fund from the state coffers, added that all those who played any role in the movement of the N10 billion, would certainly have a date with the law.
Governor Otti reaffirmed his commitment to the people of Abia State and the continued infrastructural turnaround of Abia State in order to attract local and foreign investors.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
