Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has revealed that his administration has paid off N72 billion out of the N138 billion debt it inherited, leaving a balance of N66 billion. He also announced a major healthcare infrastructure project—Abia Medical City—expected to cost $1.3 billion.
Speaking during the April edition of Alex Otti Speaks to Abians, the governor noted that the debt figure was provided by the Debt Management Office and that despite the burden, his administration has not taken any new loans.
“We inherited a mountain of debt, but through careful planning, transparency, and good negotiation, we’ve avoided adding to it,” Otti said. “We’ve paid N72 billion so far without borrowing a single naira.”
Otti said the new Abia Medical City will serve as a hub for advanced medical care in the country and help cut down the billions of dollars Nigerians spend on medical tourism each year. The project is scheduled to be flagged off by President Bola Tinubu, who will also commission the newly reconstructed Port Harcourt Road in Aba on his visit to the state in May.
Highlighting progress in education, the governor stated that over 7,000 pupils are benefiting from the state’s free education programme, while 9,000 teachers are undergoing phased training to improve the quality of education, with a renewed focus on science and technology.
On the healthcare front, Otti disclosed plans to recruit 777 new health workers and upgrade primary healthcare facilities across the state to reflect what he called “the new Abia.”
Security, he said, remains a top priority, assuring residents that the state’s security architecture is effective and proactive. “Anyone who has tried to test the will of this administration has faced the consequences,” he said.
He also mentioned strategic agricultural partnerships with Israeli firms to boost rice production and greenhouse farming for vegetables and maize.
On the anti-grazing law, Otti hinted at a review, saying the state is moving beyond the days of cattle ravaging farmlands. “We’ll take another look at the law where necessary,” he added.
The governor thanked the State House of Assembly for its continued support and acknowledged the growing number of lawmakers crossing over to back his administration’s policies and developmental agenda.
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