Amidst the raging controversy over the sum of N54 billion allegedly spent on renovation of certain public schools in Abia state, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Paul Ikonne, has urged Governor Alex Otti to disabuse the minds of the people by showcasing the schools.
According to an online medium reports, budget performance data generated from the south east state revealed that in the last quarter of 2024 alone, Abia State recorded N54.066 billion as spent on rehabilitation and repairs of public schools. The total amount spent throughout the 2024 fiscal year stood at N567.2 billion.
A statement signed by Dr Ujo Justice, Chief Press Secretary to Prince Ikonne, maintained that the Governor must show evidence that the allegation was spurious as he recalled that similar sums had been written off in the past without evidence on the ground, noting that about N18 billion was previously announced for school renovation with “nothing to show for it.”
The APC chieftain in his statement applauded the move by a Civil Society Organisation, the Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy & Development (FENRAD), which is demanding a breakdown of the N54 billion, including the list of schools supposedly renovated, their names, locations, and the nature of works done.
Prince Ikonne appealed to Governor Otti to give priority to truth over propaganda in his defence of the alleged renovation scandal.
“Dr. Otti should realize that leadership is about accountability, not story telling. He cannot claim to be the face of transparency while avoiding the simplest of questions: show us the schools.”
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