The Abia State Government has issued a statement to clarify its Q3 budget expenses in response to recent social media reports alleging exorbitant spending on feeding and welfare within the Governor’s Office.
This was contained in a statement made available to Newsmen by the duo of the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Kazie Ukoh and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma.
The statement explained that contrary to the distorted reports circulating on social media, the government did not spend close to One Billion Naira in the Governor’s Office for the specified period.
Highlighting the the government’s dedication to upholding transparency in governance, Governor Otti’s aides asserted that the present adminstration’s commitment in operating with transparency and fiscal responsibility is evidenced by the publication of the budget performance report for two consecutive quarters.
ABIA STATE Q3 BUDGET EXPENSES: UNDERSTANDING THE ISSUES
Following the publication of the Q3 budget report of the Abia State Government, and in line with the government’s commitment to transparency, good governance and fiscal discipline, it has become necessary to shed more light on the aforementioned report.
This is even more so when there are certain distorted reports on social media, alleging that the Abia State Government had spent close to One Billion Naira on feeding and welfare for the Governor’s Office, within the period under review.
The accurate situation is that nothing in that region has been spent in the Governor’s Office.
The facts are as stated below:
1. The total amount spent so far by the entire government of Abia State for Refreshments and Meals for the period is N223,389,889.84.
2. The figure above is as captured in all the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government.
3. Please, NOTE that this figure is for the entire state and not for the Office of the Governor, as being erroneously portrayed.
4. The stated figure covers expenses for special events, such as retreats, conferences, and related events.
5. For welfare, the Abia State Government has so far spent the sum of N397,520,734.84.
6. The Welfare expenditure is in line with the State Fiscal, Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability Programme (SFTAS); an initiative of the Federal Government.
7. Also NOTE that the Welfare Expenditure covers all the Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and not just the Governor’s Office, as wrongly alleged.
8. Expenses under Welfare deal with issues of Health, Rehabilitation and Public Emergencies.
The Abia State Government, under the leadership of Dr. Alex C. Otti, OFR, will continue to uphold transparency in governance, as has been demonstrated in the publication of the budget performance report for two consecutive quarters.
