Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti has revealed why he embarked on recovery of State’s properties from the previous administrations.
This is even as he set up a Judicial Panel focused on the recovery of Abia State’s assets. Otti in a statement on Wednesday, said his administration would have focused on the business of governance and the delivering of the dividend of democracy, had it been the past administration didn’t convert most of the State’s own assets to private use.
According to the governor, large-scale allegations of misuse and misappropriation of public resources by former officials has been brought up before his administration, hence the need for judicial panel.
“Ordinarily, the desire of this administration would have been to focus on the business of governance and the delivering of the dividend of democracy, without resorting to any form of inquiry into past deeds. However, in response to large-scale allegations of misuse and misappropriation of public resources by former officials”, Otti said.
He however, revealed that ex- Governor Okezie Ikpeazu made his handover hostile, adding that many State’s assets were inaccessible and he started operations from ground zero. “Public lands and institutions, including Schools were not spared from conversion to private use. Emphasizes the need for inquiry and accountability, as advocated by our citizens.”
Inaugurating the five members of judicial panel headed by Hon Justice Ikwuoma Duruoha-Igwe (rtd.) as Chairman, others: Prof Ogwo Ekeoma Ogwo, Prof Ursula Ngozi Akanwa, Mazi Ugochukwu Okoroafor and Rev Father Barr Alex Okonkwo.
Governor Otti said The Panel will:
- Investigate complaints of government property misuse and recommend remedial actions.
- Identify illegal acquisition/conversion of state assets and suggest recovery methods.
- Analyze land allocation/revocation from May 2015-2023, judging their appropriateness.
- Review contract awards from May 2015-2023 for legality.
- Investigate other matters incidental or related to the above, making further recommendations.
We anticipate a swift operation from the panel, and encourage public support for the recovery of our shared wealth. With your excellent records, we trust you will help rebuild Abia State, the governor concluded.
