Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has said under his Labour Party administration, rogues no longer have access to the coffers of the state government.
The governor stated this yesterday during the burial of the mother of the mayor of Isuikwuato local government area, Mrs Evelyn Ekeke Nunya.
“We don’t allow people to steal the money. And, that is why we are able to do many of the things we are doing, because once you steal it, it is not available to be used to work.
“Anytime we can do things in an alternate way, that we don’t need to spend money, we do not hesitate to take the option. There is something called reining in cost of governance.
“Cost of governance is a big problem in Nigeria. So, part of our strategy is to rein in, pull it down, so that we can use that money to work for you,” the governor explained.
Otti said that everything that has been said about the late Mrs Ekeke were beautiful stories attesting to the fact that she lived a good life anchored on resilience and honesty.
“She worked hard to give her children the best she could afford, especially ensuring that they acquired formal education which she herself didn’t have,” the governor said.
He lauded the Ekeke family for celebrating their mother and encouraged them not to weep so much because at age 85, one would not say that she died so young.
In a remark, the mayor, Hon Chinedu Ekeke, thanked Otti and others for honouring the family with his presence, saying the gesture would remain evergreen in their hearts.
Ekeke, who is the chairman of the state chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, added that he wished his late mother knew that Otti would honour her with his presence.