Abia State has denied reports circulating on social media that the governor’s office spent nearly one billion naira on feeding and welfare in the third quarter.
In a press statement signed by Kazie Uko, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Alex Otti, it was clarified that the actual amount spent on meals and refreshments during that period was N223,389,889.84.
The figure includes the expenses of all the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), not just the governor’s office as claimed in the social media reports.
”The stated figure covers expenses for special events, such as retreats, conferences, and related events. For welfare, the Abia State Government has so far spent the sum of N397,520,734.84.
“The welfare expenditure is in line with the State Fiscal, Transparency, Accountability, and Sustainability Programme (SFTAS), an initiative of the federal government.
“Also, note that the welfare expenditure covers all the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) and not just the Governor’s Office, as wrongly alleged. Expenses under Welfare deal with issues of health, rehabilitation, and public emergencies,” the press statement said.
Governor Otti is committed to maintaining transparency in his administration, according to a statement by the Abia State government.
The statement was issued in response to numerous social media reports suggesting that the governor’s office alone spent nearly one billion naira on meals and refreshments during the third quarter financial period.
