Abia Govt Clarifies ABSIID Project Loan Facility, Dismisses Political Misinformation
Abia Government debunks false claims on ABSIID Project loans, clarifies that no funds have been disbursed or spent, and reaffirms its commitment to transparency, accountability, and donor confidence under Governor Alex Otti.
The Abia State Government has dismissed recent claims by a group known as the Abia APC Renaissance Group alleging that the state has already accessed and utilized funds from the African Development Bank (AfDB), Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), and the Canadian Climate Action Africa Facility (CAAF) under the Abia State Integrated Infrastructure Development (ABSIID) Project.
In a firm response, Mr. Odinakachi Eric Eme, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Alex Otti on Multilateral and Donor Agencies, described the allegations as “baseless, politically motivated, and rooted in ignorance of how multilateral financing operates.”
Eme clarified that the ABSIID Project is still in its early implementation stage, emphasizing that no disbursement for infrastructure or civil works has occurred. He noted that while the AfDB component has been launched, the Subsidiary Loan Agreement for the IsDB is still under review and yet to be finalized.
Contrary to reports that 123 million dollars had been credited to the state’s account, Eme stated that the only fund received so far is 115,000 dollars, strictly for operational logistics, including staffing, coordination, and preliminary activities for project takeoff.
He stressed that no capital funds have been accessed or spent, and that every kobo received is traceable, verifiable, and unutilized.
The Governor’s aide explained that both the AfDB and IsDB components of the project operate under a direct payment system, meaning that payments for civil works, goods, and services are made directly by the lenders to verified contractors and consultants, not through any state government account. The CAAF component, he added, allows funds to be deposited in a designated state project account but under strict financial oversight jointly managed by the lenders and the Federal Ministry of Finance.
Eme further stated that the Alex Otti administration has rebuilt donor confidence and credibility lost under previous governments, enabling Abia to attract global development partnerships once again. He described the ABSIID Project as a product of transparency, discipline, and process-driven governance, overseen by international financial institutions to ensure accountability.
He accused certain politically exposed individuals of sponsoring smear campaigns to discredit the administration out of envy and political desperation ahead of 2027.
“It is unfortunate that some opposition figures, including a federal lawmaker, are backing false narratives to score cheap political points. Their actions threaten the credibility of our state before international partners,” he said.
Eme reaffirmed that Governor Otti’s government remains committed to transparency and responsible governance, dismissing attempts to politicize development efforts as “reckless and counterproductive.”
“The facts are too clear, the records too transparent, and the world is watching,” he stated. “Abia’s reputation is not a political toy. Propaganda cannot replace policy, and ambition should never outweigh integrity.”
He emphasized that Abia State’s credibility with multilateral institutions is at an all-time high, crediting Governor Otti’s fiscal prudence, merit-based governance, and accountability for restoring global confidence.
“Those who prefer chaos will find progress uncomfortable, but Abia has moved on from opacity to transparency. The new Abia is here, and no amount of propaganda will change that,” Eme concluded.
