Abia State Governor Alex Otti has accused his predecessor, Okezie Ikpeazu, of paying N9.8 billion to a contractor in 2017 for the reconstruction of Port Harcourt Road in Aba—a project he claims was never executed
Otti made the allegation on Wednesday during a thanksgiving and carnival event held at Umuagbai Secondary School, Aba. The celebration was organized by the Aba community to mark the successful completion of the long-abandoned Port Harcourt Road and other development projects delivered under Otti’s administration.
Describing critics from the past administration as “noise makers,” Otti stated:
“In 2017, this road was awarded for N9.8 billion, and the entire sum was paid, yet the road remained untouched. Now in 2025, it cost us N36.5 billion to get it done, and suddenly they are making noise. For clarity, the exchange rate in 2017 was around N333 to the dollar. That means N9.8 billion was equivalent to about $29 million.”
He also announced that 20 electric buses purchased by his administration would be deployed within the next two months to enhance public transport in the state.
In a separate gesture, Otti honored a tricycle (keke) rider in Aba who returned N2.4 million forgotten by a passenger. The governor praised the rider’s honesty and rewarded him for his integrity.
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