Otti Urges Cabinet to Ignore Distractions, Focus on Abia Growth

Governor Alex Otti has called on members of his cabinet to remain dedicated to their duties and stay aligned with the administration’s development agenda. He gave the charge on Saturday in Umuahia while declaring open a two-day retreat organised for political appointees in the state.

The retreat, tagged Accelerating Progress: Unlocking New Opportunities, brought together officials across ministries, departments and agencies to review performance and align strategies for the months ahead.

Otti told participants that the year 2026 would demand greater effort from all members of his team.

The governor said his administration had already recorded visible improvements in different sectors and that residents were beginning to feel changes in socio-economic conditions.

Despite the progress, he warned that political activities and other forms of noise should not divert attention from governance and planned projects.

He noted that the government has mapped out large-scale investments running into over one trillion naira in areas such as education, healthcare and other key sectors.

According to him, the focus must remain on delivering results that benefit the people of Abia State.

Otti also advised his appointees to approach the retreat with seriousness and a willingness to work together.

He said the meeting was meant to promote teamwork, review policies and improve service delivery rather than encourage personal disagreements.

He reminded them that the performance of each office contributes to the overall success of the administration.

The governor further told the cabinet members that the impact of their work should not be measured by budget size but by the value added to the development of the state.

He urged them to assess projects carefully and ensure that government spending translates into tangible benefits for citizens.

Earlier, the Secretary to the State Government, Emmanuel Meribeole, said the retreat came at a time when the state was working to rebuild and reposition itself for steady growth.

He stated that since taking office, the governor has introduced reforms aimed at improving governance and public service.

Meribeole added that the retreat would provide an opportunity for officials to evaluate their performance, share ideas and strengthen coordination across government institutions.

He encouraged participants to contribute actively and work as a unified team in order to achieve the administration’s goals.