Governor Otti: We’ve Paid Off N72bn Inherited Debt Without Borrowing a Kobo
Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has disclosed that his administration has successfully paid off N72 billion out of the N138 billion debt inherited from previous administrations, without adding any new debt since assuming office in May 2023.
Speaking during the April edition of his monthly media parley at the Government House in Umuahia, Governor Otti cited records from the Debt Management Office (DMO), which confirm that the state’s debt has now reduced to N66 billion as of December 2024.
“So that being, by their numbers, we have paid down N72 billion of inherited debt and we have added no dime in borrowing,” he said.
Otti attributed the achievement to his administration’s strict financial discipline, transparency, and careful negotiation of government transactions. “On the management of our resources, we will continue to be prudent to ensure that no kobo of Abia money is wasted. Some people are used to wasting money. But this government is very good,” he stated.
He added that the inherited debt figure from the DMO may not reflect the full burden left behind, as it excludes large backlogs of unpaid salaries, pensions, and contractor debts uncovered by the state government.
On the healthcare front, Governor Otti announced steady progress under the “Project Ekwueme” initiative — a massive project aimed at renovating and constructing 200 primary healthcare centres across Abia State. According to him, about 103 of the centres are already at different stages of completion, averaging 70% progress. An additional 67 centres are being supported by the World Bank.
The governor also revealed plans to retrofit general hospitals and improve compensation for health workers, including the recruitment of 771 new healthcare professionals to strengthen service delivery.
In a major announcement, Otti unveiled the planned inauguration of the Abia Medical City — a flagship healthcare project backed by a $1.3 billion private investment.
“We have signed off on a new upgrade and transfer model with a credible partner who has secured the funding. We have seen the colour of the money,” he said confidently.
He believes the project will play a key role in reducing Nigeria’s $2 billion annual medical tourism expenses by retaining at least 10% of that spending within the country.
Governor Otti’s administration continues to emphasize transparency, infrastructure development, and healthcare reform as pillars of its governance.
