Gov Otti’s CPS Unwittingly Exposes Government’s Deception on Non-Existent Projects | #NwokeukwuMascot

 Opinion 

Re- Obinna Oriaku: The unrepentant and cynical scoundrel | #NwokeukwuMascot

I served as Abia’s Commissioner for Finance from 2015 to 2019, and I take full responsibility for everything that transpired during my tenure.

I am immensely proud of that period when our allocations both State and local governments were at an all-time low, hovering around N3.7 billion naira, compared to the staggering N18 billion naira we see today. Fact-check me if you must. In light of the financial mismanagement we’ve witnessed, I am convinced that Governor Ikpeazu’s administration ( 2015 to 2019) was far more prudent than the current one, especially when you consider that we reduced the security vote during the economic recession, while today, over N1 billion naira is allocated to monthly security vote . The Exco allowance for Commissioners was reduced in 2015 from N1m to N500k. Obinna Oriaku reduced his official allowance for Abuja trips from N1.6m to 500k throughout the 4 years he served just to practice what he preached , besides his monthly salary was still paid by FirstBank for the four years  as he served Pro bono.(free)

 The 2023 Annual Report further highlights this discrepancy, showing that N32 billion was spent under the Government House economic code , while N27 billion was earmarked for salaries and pensions for over 37,000 of Abia  workers and pensioners.

If you doubt that my unyielding stance against governance malpractice was the reason I was sidelined, you cannot deny that I stood firm against a government I served. In contrast, members of the current administration were eager to curry favor with those in power, including your Chief Press Secretary.

Obinna Oriaku has consistently challenged anyone with evidence of his wrongdoing to come forward, a challenge which   dubbed as the “Oriaku Challenge,” which dates back to 2019. Till date , he is as free as air. 

You now have the opportunity to investigate the bailout funds or the Paris Club loans, rather than resorting to childish antics when you could use such information to silence Oriaku and restore peace—since he seems to be your administration’s nightmare.

The issue surrounding the SFTAS report and the decision to reopen old wounds has placed the CPS in a difficult position, from what I’ve gathered. I understand the government is struggling to suppress the findings of the Accountant General’s report, and in his attempt to address the matter, the CPS inadvertently exposed further weaknesses, embarrassing the government even more.

Your CPS did not dispute the figures. He confirmed that N6.7 billion naira was used for recreational facilities, N2.4 billion naira for the ICT hub, In fact, Chima Oriaku then Commissioner for science and Technology who was asked for questioning this fraud is gearing up to open can of worms which will shock Abians.

The N7 billion naira for research and development, which includes consultancy is not in dispute. His only issue was with the classification code, implying that some sub-heads were omitted, but the final figure remains unchanged. He also alluded to the over N200 billion naira spent without any visible projects. This report also revealed that, in Q3 of 2023, Abia state  spent N540 million on media and propaganda, while Ebonyi and Enugu spent just N31 million and N29 million naira, respectively. You now see why we  have fake performance in social media. 

As someone who has worked in Enugu and, during my tenure as Abia’s Commissioner for Finance, ensured the implementation of several reforms, I am proud of the progress we made. We adapted and implemented the following reforms from Enugu to Abia among other verifiable reforms :

1. Centralization of payments: Before 2015, some bureaus under the SSG office were paid monthly salary in cash. I oversaw the shift to automated payments.

2. Civil servant salary payments: Prior to 2015, salaries were paid by  individual ministries and Parastatals,we centralized salary payments into one automated process, which the Otti administration has demonstrated very poor knowledge with issues from simple verification that has lasted 20 months.

3. Pension payments: Previously, pension payments were handled by sub-treasuries, which became a cash cow for their heads. We centralized pension payments into one automated system, shutting down the 19 sub-treasuries for pensions till date .

I also oversaw the automation and restructuring of the Board of Internal Revenue, which the current administration has failed to improve upon. Today, Abia generates just N1.2 billion naira, a far cry from the N1.4 billion naira  generated under Ikpeazu, while Enugu is poised to generate N30 billion naira per month.

At least, the procurement process was open that people knew the cost of projects from the media after each Executive Council meetings. Except the PH road Aba project that turned a national embarrassment as three key  govt officals were throwing contract figures on  national television (Arises Tv), can you mention the cost of any project going on today in  Abia .

I supported change by challenging the government I served, particularly in the months leading up to the election. However, I have come to the painful conclusion that deceit and propaganda have defined this administration. They take advantage of gullible individuals like you, who fail to grasp that N3.6 billion naira and N18 billion naira are not the same, regardless of the exchange rate.

This is further emphasized because, as a government, we are not engaged in international trade, nor do we import goods in dollars , except for few capital projects, which are often shrouded in deceit. Why is it so difficult to disclose the cost of projects in our state? Operations are opaque, and even local government chairmen will tell you that their allocations are hidden from them. Is this what your “new” Abia represents? 

I am not interested in engaging with you on other trivial matters you’ve raised, but I know that many of us, with a deep understanding of government operations, are aware of what is happening with our funds—something you may not yet grasp.

There was a trending challenge last week: Identify any project, initiated or inherited, that is worthy of the President’s attention. To date, no such project has been identified, and yet you continue to defend what is blatantly false and verifiable.

If you remember that we’ve received close to N600 billion in just 20 months with nothing to show for it, you would understand that you are merely a conduit for suppressing dissenting opinions.

I cannot, in good conscience, expose the wrongdoings of a government I once served and then remain silent when even worse things are unfolding.

I urge you to ask yourself some fundamental questions about the government you support. Why are pensions and salaries still an issue even with 18b monthly? Why is the cost of project in Abia being concealed? Why does it cost N750 million naira to re- asphalt just 1 kilometer of road, like Dozie Way, for instance, though they said it was done through Direct labour.

I laugh when most of you jump up about prompt payment of salaries, even an Okada rider at Akara junction can use N6.7b as total obligations in a months and pocket the N12.3b . There is no state in Nigeria where salary and pension is discussed again  as many states are involved in huge and impactful projects basically because of subsidy removal and floating of Naira .

Abians voted out PDP because of what we perceive as non performance and it is wrong to use PDP as barometer of measuring this government success.  The fundamentals are not same.

Abia is far from what we were promised.  

©️Ekwedike