Governor Alex Otti of Abia State is facing scrutiny as reports emerge of a substantial expenditure of N927 million within a three-month period on meals, refreshments, and welfare packages for government officials. The revelation comes from a Budget Performance Report produced by the Abia State Planning Commission and other relevant departments, as published on the Abia State website.
The report indicates that the spending covers refreshments, meals, settlement of honorarium, allowances, and welfare packages. The Q3 (July to September) and Year-to-Date performance were assessed against the revised 2023 Budget, which included an Amendment Virement sum of N22,263,269,900.
Specifically, within the mentioned quarter, the Otti-led government spent N223,389,889.84 on refreshments and N305,400,000 on honorarium and sitting allowances for government officials.
The details of the expenditure have sparked concerns and discussions about financial management and accountability in Abia State. Additionally, the report indicates that N25 million was allocated for public schools in the state during the same period.
Governor Otti’s administration is likely to face questions and criticisms regarding the significant allocation for meals and welfare, especially amid ongoing public discourse about resource allocation and utilization in government. The coming days may see reactions from the public, political stakeholders, and concerned citizens regarding the reported expenditures.