Abia State Debt Profile Worries APGA, Demands Accountability In N10b Airport Loan

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has expressed worry over increasing debt profile of Abia State.

The party, therefore, demanded for accountability over the N10 billion loans allegedly obtained by the state government for construction of an airport.

APGA, in a press statement by its state chairman, Rev. Augustine Ehiemere, cautioned the Governor Okezie Ikpeazu administration against further borrowings, which, according to him, will put the next administration under undue pressure.

When contacted, Commissioner for Information, Eze Chikamnayo, dismissed the allegations as “false, frivolous and diversionary.”

APGA was reacting to alleged move by the Abia Polytechnic to borrow N450 million for bail out, following the withdrawal of its accreditation by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) as a result of 29 months of unpaid salaries of staff.

APGA accused the current administration of plunging the state into unnecessary debts, and advised it to stop the trend.

According to the party, prudent management of Abia’s allocations from the federation account, including Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), will save the state from going into debt.

“The PDP led administration in Abia has continued to plunge Abians into inhuman treatment, leaving a huge debt for the incoming APGA government in 2023. Ikpeazu has, again, borrowed N450 million from a new generation bank, using students as collateral by asking them to pay into the account.

“It is regrettable that this government cannot settle the backlog of unpaid salaries, which led to the de-accreditation of Abia State Polytechnic. The retirees are owed almost four years pensions and over 20 years gratuities. Teachers are owed over one year wages and five years leave allowances and the Governor is happy to see them suffering.”