Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State, the main opposition party to ruling Labour Party (LP), has accused the state government of financial recklessness.

The allegation is contained in a statement by PDP’s Vice Chairman/Acting Publicity Secretary, Abraham Amah. It accused Otti of financial recklessness for using the sum of N5.32 billion to run his (governor’s) office.

Amah said PDP’s attention was drawn to the state government’s third quarter 2023 budget performance report, published on the state’s website, showing statements of income and expenditure for the period between July and September 2023.

He stated that the publication came on the heels of a cash award to states by the World Bank under States Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability (SFTAS).

It was reported in the media that the government spent N397,520,734.84 for welfare and N223,389,889.84 for refreshments and meals in the third quarter (Q3) of 2023.

But while refuting the allegation, Kazie Uko, the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the state Governor, Alex Otti, told journalists in Umuahia, on Monday, that PDP only reacted to wrong reports and interpretation published on social media.

In a statement, tagged  “Abia State  Q3 Budget  Expenses: Understanding The Issues,” the CPS described the social media reports  as distorted,  saying: “They alleged that the Abia State Government had spent close to N1b on feeding and welfare for the Governor’s Office, within the period under review. It has become necessary to shed more light on the report.”

He said the N223,389,889.84 used  for refreshments and meals for the period was as captured in all the 76 Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the  government for the entire state and not for the office of the governor, as was erroneously portrayed.

The amount, he added, covered expenses for special events, such as retreats, conferences and related events, stressing that nothing close to one N1b had been spent in the Governor’s Office.

“Welfare expenditure was in line with the State Fiscal, Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability Programme (SFTAS), which is an initiative of the Federal Government. The welfare expenditure covered all the state’s 76 Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and not just the Governor’s Office, as wrongly alleged.”