Gov Otti Reaffirms Commitment to Transparency as Abia Rises to 4th in BudgIT State Rankings

By Ezechukwu Adimoha

ABIA – Governor Alex Otti says his administration is committed to transparency, accountability in the management of the State’s resources.

Governor Otti who stated this in his office, at Nvosi Isiala Ngwa South LGA, when he received in audience a team from BudgIT Foundation, a reputable organisation committed to public finance and fiscal transparency, accountability and active citizen participation in governance, led by its Global Director, Oluseun Onigbinde.

The Governor noted that transparency constitutes the foundation of his administration and that he has deliberately prioritised accountability and ethical conduct in public service, pointing out that officials found wanting in matters relating to transparency were sanctioned.

The governor stated that while fiscal sustainability and internally generated revenue remained important, his administration was more focused on improving the quality of life of residents through investments in education, healthcare and infrastructure.

The state chief executive while noting that his administration has invested a lot in the education and Healthcare sectors, revealed that the state met 948 dysfunctional primary healthcare centres on assumption of office and has since commenced rebuilding the healthcare system, including restoring accreditation for the Abia State University Teaching Hospital Aba.

He welcomed the proposed partnership with BudgIT Foundation, which is expected to focus on fiscal sustainability, fiscal transparency and accountability.

Earlier, BudgIT Global Director, Mr Oluseun Onigbinde, commended the progress recorded by the administration of Governor Alex Otti, adding that the organisation was seeking a strategic partnership with the state government.

Onigbinde said the proposed collaboration would focus on fiscal sustainability, transparency and accountability, as well as investment in the social sector, particularly healthcare and education.

Onigbinde, noted that BudgIT’s State of States ranking was widely used by development partners, financial institutions and rating agencies, including the World Bank, in assessing state performance, arguing that sustainable development required governments to prioritise human capital development.

Also speaking, BudgIT Nigeria Country Director, Vahyala Kwaga, said Abia ranked among the top-performing states in several sub-indexes assessed in the State of States report, noting that Abia has consistently ranked among the leading states in fiscal transparency reporting which speaks about the state’s government openess and receptive to constructive engagement.

The visit of the team was in connection with the release of the organisation’s 2025 State of States report, which saw Abia coming overall fourth in the country from its initial 17th position within two years of the Governor Otti led administration.