ABSIID Project Loan Facility: Abia Govt Sets Record Straight on Misleading APC Publication

The Abia State Government has debunked claims by a group under the banner of the Abia APC Renaissance Group alleging that the state had already accessed and expended funds from international lenders under the Abia State Integrated Infrastructure Development (ABSIID) Project.

In a detailed statement issued by Odinakachi Eric Eme, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Alex Otti on Multilateral and Donor Agencies, the government described the publication as “a concoction of falsehood, ignorance, and political mischief,” designed to mislead the public and tarnish the image of the Otti administration.

Eme clarified that the claims made by the group that funds from the African Development Bank (AfDB), Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), and the Canadian Climate Action Africa Facility (CAAF) have been utilized are entirely false and show “an alarming lack of understanding of how international development financing works.”

“The assertion that Abia State has received and expended these funds would have been laughable if it were not so reckless,” Eme said, emphasizing that the ABSIID Project is still in its early implementation stage.

He explained that while the AfDB has launched its component of the project, no disbursement for infrastructure or civil works has taken place. The Subsidiary Loan Agreement with the IsDB, which must be finalized before any release of funds, is still under review.

Setting the records straight, Eme disclosed that the only amount received so far is $115,000, earmarked strictly for operational logistics such as staffing, coordination, and project takeoff preparations and that the funds remain untouched.

“Contrary to the outrageous claim that 123 million dollars has been credited to the state account, no such funds exist. No capital funds have been accessed or spent,” he stated.

Eme further explained that both the AfDB and IsDB components of the project operate under a direct payment modality, where payments for approved works, goods, and services are made directly by the lenders to verified contractors and consultants, not through state government accounts.

Only the CAAF component differs slightly, he said, as it permits disbursement into a designated project account for specific climate-related interventions, a process jointly monitored by the lenders and the Federal Ministry of Finance to ensure strict accountability.

Highlighting the reforms under Governor Otti’s leadership, Eme stressed that Abia State has regained the confidence of international development partners after years of neglect and non-compliance under previous administrations.

“What past governments failed to achieve due to a lack of transparency, this administration has revived, restructured, and positioned for success. Abia now stands as a model of fiscal discipline and administrative credibility,” he affirmed.

Eme, however, accused certain political figures of sponsoring smear campaigns to discredit the government for selfish political reasons ahead of 2027.

“Some politically exposed individuals, including a federal lawmaker and his associates, are backing these baseless attacks, hoping to score cheap political points at the expense of the state’s integrity. Their actions are not just petty but dangerous,” he warned.

He reaffirmed that the Otti-led administration remains steadfast in its commitment to transparency, accountability, and development partnerships, noting that “Abia’s reputation is not a tool for political warfare.”

“Propaganda cannot replace policy, and ambition should never outweigh integrity. Those who claim to represent the people must first respect the truth,” he declared.

Eme concluded by assuring Abians that the government would not be distracted by misinformation or political propaganda, emphasizing that the New Abia remains focused on delivering transformative governance through verified partnerships and credible projects.

“Facts are stubborn things. Abia is no longer the byword for opacity. Under Dr. Alex Otti, the state has rebuilt its credibility with donor agencies and financial institutions. The world is once again willing to trust Abia not because of propaganda, but because of policy, prudence, and professionalism,” he concluded.