Sir Mascot Uzor Kalu, the 2027 governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State, has expressed deep disappointment over what he described as a glaring lack of transparency and accountability in the administration of Governor Alex Otti, accusing the governor of reneging on one of his core campaign promises during the 2023 elections.
Speaking on Rapid 96.5FM, Umuahia, Kalu said he was “most disappointed” that Otti, who built his political career by attacking previous administrations over secrecy, has become even more unaccountable since assuming office.
“For nine years, Governor Otti went after previous governments on transparency. From 2014 when he first declared for governorship until 2023 when he became governor, this was one thing he hammered on: transparency, transparency, transparency. We don’t know how much you’re borrowing. We don’t know what they’re being used for. We don’t know what you’re awarding or how they’re awarded,” Kalu recalled.
According to him, it is shocking that the same issues now define Otti’s government.
“This was one major thing he preached, and it is shocking that this is a major area where his administration is failing. If you go to the Abia State Government website, you don’t see records that clearly present what the government is doing,” he said.
Kalu acknowledged that roads are being constructed across the state but questioned the opacity surrounding the projects.
“You hear about road construction going on. Yes, the roads are being done, don’t get me wrong. But at what cost? Who are the contractors?” he asked.
Turning to the controversial Port Harcourt Road project in Aba, the former Abia Chief of Staff alleged massive cost inflation.
“The government said the road was built with N36 billion. If I’m not mistaken, I hear the contractor is still being owed about N1.5 billion, and if that is true, it puts the project at about N38 billion.
“The road is nice; there is nothing fantastic about it. There is no pedestrian crossing, no bridge. It is a normal two- or three-lane road,” Kalu stated.
He added that professional assessments contradict the government’s figures.
“I have asked a lot of quantity surveyors, and I am being told the road should cost at most between N10 billion and N15 billion. Let it also be known that on that same road, Okezie Ikpeazu had done most of the drainage, and he was still working on the road during the 2023 campaign period. Over one thousand trips of gravel were dumped in two different locations on the road. Don’t they count for something?” he queried.
While admitting that Port Harcourt Road is Aba’s most critical economic artery, Kalu argued that the huge sums allegedly spent could have transformed several adjoining roads, delivering broader economic relief to traders and residents.
The APC chieftain insisted that Abians deserve not just projects, but clear answers on how their money is being spent.
