Following the release of the Abia State Q4 2024 Budget Performance Report**, which stated that ₦54,066,138,500 was spent on rehabilitating 51 public schools, a wave of reactions has emerged, with critics and government officials exchanging views on the claim.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, defended the expenditure, stating that the funds were allocated for the renovation, upgrading, and retrofitting of 225 schools across the state’s 184 wards in 17 local government areas (LGAs) to meet modern standards. He clarified that while the budget indicated the funds had been spent, many projects were still ongoing.
Ekeoma further explained that the government opted to advance payments to contractors and secure Advance Payment Guarantees (APGs) to prevent cost escalation due to loans.
He emphasized that the administration was committed to delivering model schools and decent learning environments rather than just repairing classrooms.
Opposition and Public Concerns
However, Onyebuchi Ememanka, former Chief Press Secretary to ex-Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, led the charge in questioning the claim, arguing that the government explicitly stated the money had already been spent, not just allocated for future projects.
He challenged officials to provide a list of renovated schools, pictures, or evidence of ongoing work.
“You wrote it yourself that ₦54 billion has been spent. Now we ask a simple question—where are these schools?” he queried.
Other critics, echoed similar concerns, pointing out that even if ₦54 billion was divided among 17 LGAs, each LGA would receive about ₦3.2 billion, which should result in visible transformations.
Critics also questioned why schools were not listed in the report and demanded a breakdown of expenditures from Q1 to Q4 2024, arguing that a transparent school-by-school audit should be conducted.
Calls for Transparency
The controversy has sparked heated debates, with some calling for an independent verification of the projects.
The opposition insists that the government must publish the list of renovated schools, locations, and project costs to assure the public that funds were properly utilized.
Meanwhile, government supporters argue that many of the schools are still under renovation, urging patience and emphasizing that the administration is addressing years of neglect in the education sector.
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