The immediate past governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has denied an allegation that his administration diverted N10 billion earmarked for the construction of an airport in the state.

Ikpeazu, however, accused his successor, Governor Alex Otti, of clout chasing and deceiving the people of Abia State with the forensic report conducted on the state finances.

The former governor, in a statement on Monday, May 6, 2024, noted that Otti was diverting attention from the quarterly reports of Abia State, which, he said, showed that the state government has been reckless with funds.

He said: “Accounting for the N10 billion, no dime was diverted. Otti is diverting attention from his own quarterly report which captured him spending N3 billion on research and nonexistent projects.

“Why is it that he is using the same Ferrotex contractor, who he accused of receiving N10 billion from us for major contracts today?

Ikpeazu tackles Otti, dismisses claims on N10bn Abia airport

“What stopped him or his auditors from asking Ferrotex for explanations? We have decided to respond to him with evidence of jobs done. The time of truth has come.”

Providing an insight into the spending of the money, a former Commissioner for Information under Ikpeazu’s admistration, John Okiyi-Kalu, said Otti should stop playing to the gallery and tell the people of Abia State the truth with documents at his disposal.

Okiyi-Kalu said the alleged N10 billion budgeted for the airport project was rechanneled into other projects, following the approval of the Executive council, after traditional rulers in the state told Ikpeazu to forget an airport project but focus on repairing major roads in the state.

According to him, the traditional rulers told Ikpeazu that the airports in Owerri, Imo State, and Uyo in Akwa Ibom State made an Abia airport project unviable.

Okiyi-Kalu, who later served as a Commissioner for Trade and Investment, said it was shocking that after a demand was made for the publication of the audit, Otti and his associates published an indicting report against Ikpeazu instead of the forensic audit report.

the former commissioner added that since Otti became governor, Ferotex Construction Company has been awarded the Umuimo Road, Shalom Road, and Umuode Road, all in Aba State.

“Currently, Ferotex Construction Company is equally handling 22.5 kilometres Isuikwuato-Abariba section of the 67.6 kilometres Umuahia-Uzuakoli-Abiriba-Ohafia Road, which is Otti’s biggest road project in Abia State,” he said.

The Star