Abia Governor Otti Under Fire Over Alleged Use Of Isialangwa Private Residence For Executive Council Meetings, Other Gov’t Functions
Meanwhile, adding to the controversy, ABGGC’s Okorie noted that Governor Otti’s administration recently listed N30billion as the cost of running the Government House.
Okorie stated, “Interestingly, the Otti administration recently posted N30 billion as the expenditure on the running of the Government House on the State Government official website, which ironically is his private residence.
“Since then about four large buildings had been erected in his compound to provide office spaces for government officials.
“In addition, sources say the cost of running Otti’s private residence as Government House is a big drain on government purse in terms of providing security including maintaining a contingent of Nigerian Army who provides security in the area plus other logistics involved in moving the whole government team to and from Umuahia for meetings and other briefings.”
He argued that maintaining Otti’s private residence as the Government House is an unnecessary financial burden on the state.
According to Okorie, security costs alone, which include deploying Nigerian Army personnel to guard the premises, along with the logistical costs of transporting government officials between Umuahia and Otti’s residence, are reportedly straining the state’s finances.
When contacted for response to ABGGC’s claims and allegations, Ferdinand Ekeoma, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Governor Otti said, “This group doesn’t exist.
“Obviously, it was hurriedly set up to antagonise the government and attract unnecessary attention, therefore we will not dignify them.”
