Abia State Governor Allocates N13 Billion for New Vehicle Purchases

Governor Alex Otti’s administration in Abia State has earmarked a substantial sum of N13 billion from the recently approved N567.2 billion budget for the acquisition of vehicles in 2024. The budget, signed on December 28, 2023, at the governor’s private residence in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area, includes allocations for cars, vans, trucks, and buses.

Governor Otti, while speaking at the budget signing event, asserted that the allocation is aimed at stimulating the economy and fostering socio-economic development in Abia. The breakdown of the budget reveals significant allocations, with N5,946,756,437 designated for motor vehicles, N2,704,980,600 for vans, N949,000,000 for trucks, and N3,011,804,906 for buses. Additionally, N105,000,000 is set aside for motorcycles and bikes.

The Governor’s Office itself will spend N1.8 billion on unspecified motor vehicles, N412 million on motor vans, N712 million for two Nissan trucks, and N1 billion for brand-new buses.

Interestingly, this allocation occurs as the state plans to cover a deficit of approximately N400 billion, relying heavily on local and external borrowings to fund the 2024 budget. The state anticipates generating N166 billion in revenue through various sources, including grants, Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), federal allocation, and other income streams.

Notably, this decision comes on the heels of a previous report revealing substantial expenditures in 2023. Governor Otti’s government reportedly spent N927 million on refreshments, meals, honorarium, allowances, and welfare packages for government officials. A significant portion, about N737,922,661.25, went towards purchasing motor vehicles, with specific details on recipients undisclosed.

Despite these expenditures, the budget performance document showed a mere N25 million allocated to repairing public schools, sparking concerns about the neglect of educational infrastructure in the state. Numerous reports online highlight the dilapidated state of public schools, emphasizing the urgent need for attention to address the prevailing issues.