Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has disclosed that his administration has successfully paid off N72 billion out of the N138 billion debt it inherited from previous governments as of May 2023—without accumulating any new debt.
Speaking during the April edition of his monthly media parley held at the Government House in Umuahia on Wednesday, Otti cited official figures from the Debt Management Office, which show that the state’s total debt profile now stands at N66 billion as of December 2024.
“So that being, by their numbers, we have paid down N72 billion of inherited debt and we have added no dime in borrowing,” the governor stated.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to fiscal discipline, Governor Otti attributed the significant reduction in debt to prudent financial management, credibility in governance, and strategic negotiations in state transactions.
“On the management of our resources, we will continue to be prudent to ensure that no kobo of Abia money is wasted. Some people are used to wasting money. But this government is very good,” he said.
Governor Otti, however, clarified that the inherited debt figure as provided by the DMO may not reflect the state’s full financial liabilities. He explained that additional burdens—such as outstanding salaries, pension arrears, and unsettled contractor obligations—were not captured in the DMO’s report but are being addressed by his administration.
Providing updates on the state’s healthcare sector, the governor highlighted progress in the ongoing “Project Ekwueme,” which involves the renovation and construction of 200 primary healthcare centres across the state. He revealed that an additional 67 centres are being supported through World Bank funding.
“Information available to me is that about 103 of the 200 primary health centres are in different stages of completion. On the average, we have attained about 70 per cent completion,” he said.
Governor Otti also announced the start of a retrofitting programme for general hospitals and unveiled a new compensation package for health workers. To improve healthcare delivery, the government has approved the recruitment of 771 additional medical personnel.
One of the flagship initiatives in the state’s health sector, the Abia Medical City, is set to take off soon. The project is being executed through a private sector investment valued at $1.3 billion.
“We have signed off on a new upgrade and transfer model with a credible partner who has secured the funding. We have seen the colour of the money,” Otti said.
He expressed optimism that the medical facility would help reduce Nigeria’s estimated $2 billion annual spending on medical tourism by capturing at least 10 per cent of that expenditure within the country.
On education, the governor reported a major increase in student enrollment following the implementation of free and compulsory basic education in Abia State.
“At the moment, we have about 700,000 Abia children enjoying the free education introduced by the government,” he said.
To accommodate the growing number of pupils and maintain teaching standards, the state government has approved the recruitment of 9,000 new teachers to address the pupil-teacher ratio challenge.
Turning to infrastructure, Governor Otti disclosed that the much-anticipated Port Harcourt Road in Aba—currently being handled by Julius Berger—is near completion and scheduled for commissioning on May 29. The road is regarded as a crucial link in the commercial hub of the state, with the potential to boost business activities and decongest traffic.
He also reiterated the administration’s firm stance on crime prevention, calling on residents to stay vigilant and work closely with security agencies. Although he didn’t go into detail, the governor noted that several initiatives have been introduced to enhance agricultural productivity across the state.
Governor Otti concluded the session by cautioning against the spread of misinformation. He urged journalists and media organisations to verify government-related information through official channels to ensure accurate reporting.
