New Government House Unsafe, Lacks Basic Facilities,It’s Just Empty Halls- Prince Kanu

Abia State Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, has declared that the so-called “new Government House” at Ogurube Layout in Umuahia, commissioned by the immediate past administration, is uninhabitable and was never designed to serve as a residential facility for the Governor.

Speaking during a facility tour of the complex with journalists, Prince Kanu dismissed opposition claims that Governor Alex Otti abandoned the building, describing such narratives as misleading and politically motivated.

“This place appears uninhabitable,” Kanu said. “There are no wardrobes anywhere. Most of what we saw were just empty halls. This was never meant to be a residential Government House.”

The Commissioner expressed dismay over the structural and design flaws of the building, noting that only the first floor appeared remotely complete, while the upper floors remained unfinished and potentially dangerous.

“Nothing about this building suggests it was meant for residential use,” he continued. “The elevators are not installed. Many parts of the structure are not plastered. If anyone missteps, they could fall through—it’s that unsafe.”

Kanu criticized the past administration for allegedly rushing to erect the structure for political optics rather than functional governance, accusing them of misusing state resources.

“You will see a few pieces of furniture here, but beyond that, the structure is empty and hollow. It’s a gigantic waste,” he said. “The location itself poses a security risk due to the surrounding buildings.”

Referring to recent media commentary by former Information Commissioner, Mr. John Okiyi Kalu, Kanu said: “Almost everything he said on Arise TV was a lie. That’s why I brought you (the press) here to see the truth for yourselves.”

On the future of the controversial site, Prince Kanu revealed that the Alex Otti administration plans to convert the complex into a five-star hotel, ensuring that the facility is repurposed for economic value rather than abandoned.

He further clarified that the old Government House, contrary to claims by the previous administration, is not a rented property.

“Let me debunk another lie,” he stated. “The old Government House was duly acquired by the Abia State Government, yet the previous officials were paying themselves rent from government coffers, deceiving the public.”

According to him, Governor Otti has directed the construction of a new, secure, and functional Government House on the site of the old one, with proper planning and transparency.

Prince Kanu urged Abians to ignore the distractions of opposition voices and continue supporting Governor Otti, who, he said, is committed to responsible governance and prudent use of public resources.