Governor Alex Otti’s federal allocation appeal seeks increased funds from RMAFC to support critical projects, citing financial discipline and debt reduction success
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has made a formal federal allocation appeal to the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), urging for an increased share of the state’s federal revenue to support key developmental initiatives.
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Otti made the request on Sunday during a meeting with the Federal Commissioner representing Abia State at RMAFC, Mrs Nkechi Oti, who visited to present her report after a statewide stakeholder engagement and familiarisation tour.
The Alex Otti’s federal allocation appeal centres on the need for additional funds to execute critical infrastructure and social projects.
He stressed that Abia’s prudent financial management, highlighted in a recent report by the Debt Management Office, justifies greater investment from the federation account.
“Anything you can do to help us increase our federal allocation will be very much appreciated by your state and by the government,” he said.
“We only spend when it is absolutely necessary and for the right reasons.”
Otti pointed out that the state has significantly reduced its debt burden through disciplined spending, noting that this improved fiscal position reflects his administration’s transparency and accountability.
He also addressed staffing issues in the Abia State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ASOPADEC), acknowledging concerns raised in the commissioner’s report.
Otti said he would immediately convene a meeting with the Head of Service and ASOPADEC leadership to assess staffing levels and redeploy excess personnel rather than create unemployment.
“I will engage further with ASOPADEC to understand what their problem is. The truth is that we do not want to throw people into the job market,” he said. “If there is excess capacity, they could be sent somewhere else.”
The Alex Otti federal allocation appeal reflects his broader governance strategy—securing adequate funding while maintaining fiscal discipline to maximise impact across infrastructure, education, healthcare, and public service reform.
Mrs Nkechi Oti commended the governor for his achievements, particularly in infrastructure, digitisation of internally generated revenue, the upgrade of public schools and health centres, and the employment of over 5,000 teachers.
She also noted areas needing improvement, including overstaffing at ASOPADEC and the importance of strengthening community engagement in oil-producing areas.
Also read: Why other states should emulate Governor Otti’s transformational leadership
Top officials present at the meeting included the Commissioner for Finance, Uwaoma Ukandu; the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Goodluck Ubochi; and the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Dodo Okafor.
