The ex – Executive Secretary of the National Agricultural Lands Development Authority (NALDA), Prince Paul Ikonne, has slammed Governor Alex Otti-led Abia State government’s claim that it spent ₦54.07 billion on rehabilitation and construction of public schools across the state.
Prince Ikonne who dismissed the claim as “phantom project,” challenged Otti – led Abia government to show the world the schools it renovated or constructed with N54.05bn.
Speaking through his media assistant, Dr. Ujo Justice, during a stakeholders’ engagement in Ukwa, Ikonne further described the claim as “deeply suspicious, laughable, and insulting to the collective intelligence of Abians.”
He said the prevailing state of public schools in the state did not suggest such gargantuan amount was expended on state public schools in Abia.
The Daily Crucible gathered that the government expenditure report published on January 28, 2025, and signed by the state’s Accountant General, Njum Uma-Onyemenam, the Alex Otti-led administration allocated ₦54.07 billion for school rehabilitation in 2024.
The said amount formed part of the ₦320 billion generated from FAAC allocations, Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), and other capital receipts.
However, Ikonne maintained that the figures did not reflect the realities on the ground.
“What we see in Ukwa and several other parts of Abia is an education sector that is visibly in ruins. Ceilings are caving in, blackboards are barely usable, roofs are missing, walls are covered in moss, and some students still sit on bare floors under leaking roofs,” he said.
“If ₦54 billion was truly spent, then show us where. Which schools? What exactly was done? Let the government name them and take us there,” Ikonne demanded.
The former NALDA boss challenged the state government to publish a detailed breakdown of the projects, listing contractors, locations, timelines, and providing photographic or video evidence of completed works.
“Anything short of this transparency amounts to a blatant disrespect for accountability and governance,” he said.
Ikonne called on Governor Otti to organize an unscripted, on-site assessment tour involving journalists, civil society organizations, and independent observers.
“Until then, this ₦54 billion remains a phantom project, something that only exists on budget documents and media headlines.”
He also drew attention to the poor state of the Abia State College of Health Sciences and Management Technology, where buildings have reportedly collapsed, putting students at risk.
“If we can’t even maintain our own health college, how can we claim that we’re making progress in education? It is an utter disgrace and a sign of failed priorities,” he stated.
Citing increased federal allocations to states under the Tinubu administration, Ikonne lamented what he described as a missed opportunity for real development.
“The President, in his wisdom, has ensured that more resources flow to the states. One would have expected that the Abia State government would utilize this opportunity to transform critical sectors like education, health, and road infrastructure. Instead, what we are seeing is media packaging, propaganda, and empty political marketing,” he said.
He harped on the need for governance should be based on visible impact and not on “viral videos or curated press releases.”
“How on earth does anyone justify spending ₦54 billion on just 53 schools, with nothing visible to show? This must not be swept under the carpet. Abians must ask questions. Lawmakers must wake up. We need a comprehensive forensic audit of this expenditure. Our children deserve better.”
Prince Ikonne, therefore, called on civil society organisations, anti-corruption agencies, and legislative oversight bodies to investigate the matter and uphold transparency in governance.
