Abia’s monthly FAAC N15bn, not N38bn — Gov. Otti replies Deputy Speaker Kalu

By Steve Oko

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has responded to the assertion by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, that the authorities receives betwixt N38 cardinal and N40 cardinal monthly arsenic allocation from the Federation Account.

Otti clarified that Abia’s full monthly allocation from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), including funds for Local Governments, stands astatine N15.625 billion.

Kalu had reportedly made the assertion portion addressing supporters astatine an Independence day lawsuit successful Umuahia, wherever helium compared the contiguous administration’s gross with that of past governments.

In a connection issued by his Special Adviser connected Media and Publicity, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma, Governor Otti described the figures quoted by the Deputy Speaker arsenic inaccurate and misleading.

According to the connection titled “Governance successful Abia: Setting the Records Straight,” Otti expressed interest that specified figures could beryllium circulated without due verification.

“Abia’s 2025 year-to-date FAAC allocation (eight months), including section governments, stands astatine N125 billion. If the fig of N38 cardinal monthly were correct, it would person amounted to astir N304 cardinal wrong the aforesaid period,” the connection read.

The politician explained that contempt speech complaint fluctuations from N460 to the dollar successful 2023 to astir N1,500 currently, his medication has managed authorities finances prudently to present projects and wage workers.

He further noted that the depreciation of the naira and ostentation person accrued the nominal worth of allocations but reduced their existent worth owed to higher task and import costs.

Governor Otti besides highlighted that his medication raised the minimum wage for authorities workers from N30,000 to N70,000, portion expanding the authorities workforce done the recruitment of implicit 5,000 teachers and further wellness personnel.

“Prior to 2023, the fig of civilian servants successful Abia stood astatine astir 31,000. Today, the verified fig exceeds 67,000, excluding recently recruited teachers,” the connection added.

Otti reiterated that his medication remains focused connected transparency, fiscal discipline, and inclusive governance, urging governmental leaders to basal nationalist discussions connected verified facts.

He emphasized that his authorities welcomes constructive disapproval but cautioned against spreading misinformation susceptible of misleading the public.

The station Abia’s monthly FAAC N15bn, not N38bn — Gov. Otti replies Deputy Speaker Kalu appeared archetypal connected Vanguard News.