Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, has restated his administration’s unwavering commitment to fiscal transparency, accountability, and responsible governance.
He spoke on Tuesday, May 12th, while receiving a delegation from the BudgIT Foundation, a leading civic organisation dedicated to promoting open public finance, accountability, and citizens’ participation in governance.
Governor Otti stressed that transparency is a foundational principle that will never be compromised. “Transparency is not negotiable; it is the bedrock of everything we do. We have parted ways with officials over this issue because it is taken for granted that everyone serving here must operate openly,” he said. “Public funds belong to the people, and they must be managed wisely, transparency sits right at the centre of this government.”
The governor confirmed his readiness to partner with BudgIT, saying: “We welcome this collaboration, as it helps us learn and improve.”
On fiscal sustainability, Governor Otti explained that his administration deliberately avoided aggressive taxation in its early years, focusing instead on fixing the dire situation it inherited. “When we assumed office, infrastructure was near‑absent, education and healthcare were in crisis, and not one of 948 primary healthcare centres was functional. The state was also known for poor sanitation. We prioritised restoring basic services and creating an environment where businesses could grow. Revenue comes later, “you cannot collect what people do not have,” he noted.
He acknowledged that revenue targets remain challenging in 2024’s ₦120 billion target closed at roughly ₦70 billion, while this year’s ₦220 billion goal may not be fully met, but insisted that quality of life indicators remain the true measure of success.
Earlier, BudgIT’s Global Director, Oluseun Onigbinde, commended the administration’s commitment to good governance and proposed strategic cooperation in fiscal sustainability, transparency, and social investment.
Country Director Vahyala Kwaga specifically highlighted Abia’s outstanding progress in the 2025 State Performance Report, rising from 17th place to 4th nationwide in just two years, a leap he described as remarkable and worthy of emulation.
In attendance were the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Uwaoma Ukandu; Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mr. Kingsley Anosike; Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma; State Accountant General, Mrs. Njum Onyemanam; and other senior officials.
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