Otti pledges to inculcate financial discipline in his administration

Alex Otti, governor of Abia State, has stated that he will inculcate financial discipline in the administration of the state.

Governor Otti stated this during the Special Anniversary Lecture delivered by Kalu Idika Kalu in Umuahia as part of the activities marking his second year in office.

He said that he would commit the remaining two years of his first term in office to institutionalising the reforms that have been initiated by his administration.

“We shall commit the remaining two years of this term to institutionalising the reforms that have been initiated”

“Collectively, we shall make Abia the hub of transformational ideas. We shall not be tired of listening to undebated new ideas, for that is the path to continuous growth and progress,” Otti stated.

He used the opportunity to react to an aspect of the lecture delivered, and explained that, though there was nothing wrong with borrowing.

He noted that he would borrow when it becomes necessary.

“So, I only borrow when I need to borrow. So, the first thing that we did here was to inculcate financial discipline and responsibility.

“But then, thank God, because of how we’ve managed the finances, we’ve been able to play down loans, and also pay all our contractors.

“We are not owing anyone. And of course, salary arrears and pension arrears, we had to defray. And sometimes, you also find that it makes economic sense to pay, rather than keep the money in the bank,” Otti stated.

“We decided to put the lecture together to talk to ourselves honestly and evaluate how far we have come, what we have done right, and what we can do better.

“Because, as I have said in times past, no human endeavour is perfect, for even our best output today can be made better.

“We are, however, required to be open to honest assessment and constructive engagement with those watching keenly from the sidelines,” he explained.

OttI said that the choice of Kalu as the guest lecturer was hinged on the fact that his recommendations would be helpful in navigating the complex demands of governance in a dynamic socio-political environment.

He appreciated the intellectual depth and the brilliance of his presentation.

In the lecture themed “Two Years of Transformation: Sustaining the Momentum”, Kalu Idika Kalu, a former Minister of Finance, saluted the sterling leadership Governor Otti has provided in the state within two years in office.

He identified the attention the governor has given to the health sector, education, and social infrastructure, among others, as commendable.

Kalu explained that he was not surprised that Otti’s administration has done well, adding that the Governor has been emphasising growth and development, which he said has made him popular beyond Abia State.

“Governor Otti’s tenure has been truly transformative. I intend to identify only a few of the widely and easily available evidence to portray the reasons why Abians are so enthused by these two years of solid stewardship.

“The governor, his deputy, and indeed, their hard-working lieutenants have demonstrated uncommon camaraderie. I say this with due humility, that I know such dedication when I see it.

Such dedication was in the old Imo State that I was intimately a part of. What has emerged in our God’s own state has been spectacular so far.

‘My Governor, Dr. Alex Otti. I have to apologise that you are here, getting all these accolades, but I think it is well-deserved to propel the Governor to sustain the sounds and sights of the great achievements consistently, at the high pitch that has grown from strength to strength in the last 24 months.

“The Otti’s administration wants to underpin administrative reorganisation and sustainable social and economic development in an atmosphere of good governance, equity, and the rule of law.

Wow! Wow!! Wow!!!. I am particularly happy here today because of what is happening in Abia,” Kalu maintained.

The foremost economist urged Governor Otti to borrow money to support his work in the state and noted that there was nothing wrong with borrowing for investment.

“There is nothing inherently wrong with borrowing. If you are creating value, that’s where borrowing comes in.

“I’ve already heard the administration’s notion that borrowing is a problem, I think there would be an occasion to show that, far from being a problem, it is a way of enhancing faster and broader growth for the creation of jobs, the creation of capacity, and the creation of employment,” he stated.

The anniversary lecture was attended by notable Abians, captains of industry, and government appointees, among others.