The Abia State Government has commenced the clearing of the access road to the runway of the Abia Airport, Nsulu, sparking widespread excitement among host communities.
Speaking at the site in Umuala Nsulu, Isialangwa North, on Friday, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, reaffirmed Governor Alex Otti’s commitment to delivering the project in collaboration with the Federal Government.
Pastor Ajagba who dispelled earlier misinformation about community opposition to the project, noted that the feelings of the land owners are evident that the people are receptive of the airport project unlike the falsehood that was earlier narrated at the inception of the project process.
“Just like I was telling the women and the host communities that I met shortly when I arrived, this is a very sincere government and everything his Excellency the Governor, Dr Alex Otti has promised, he has always fulfilled.
“You can see that contrary to the wrong notion that the Nsulu community is receptive of this very important project. You can see for yourself that that notion is wrong, is not correct.
“So you can see the people, the clearing is already ongoing and you can see now that the people appreciate the importance of this airport project and so, anybody that has been given that impression that Nsulu people are not favorably disposed to this project, you can see for yourself that it is not true“, he said.
Pastor Ajagba commended members of the host communities for their understanding and urged the contractors to work with the locals while informing that government has started paying compensation to the land owners.
“I want to commend the host communities for the level of maturity, understanding and commitment that have shown. It is quite commendable, and we are all proud of Nsulu people.
“Already, compensation is being paid. Many host communities have already received their payment and you can see palpable joy, everybody is happy because transparency is what engineers trust and that’s one thing you can’t take for granted in the administration of His Excellency,” Pastor Ajagba stated.
The Special Assistant to the Governor on Land and Housing, who also serves as Project Coordinator for the Abia Airport Project, described the clearing of the access road as a major milestone.
“Today marks a crucial phase of the airport project. With enumeration and preparatory work completed, we are now creating the access road to the runway to facilitate soil tests and other investigations. The road spans approximately 853 meters from the main road to the runway point, and we aim to complete the clearing within the next five to seven days,” he said.
Also, the leader of the land owners in the Government Land Owners Forum for Abia State Airport Nsulu and Chairman of the Memorandum of Agreement Committee of the project, Rt. Hon. Uzor Azubuike commended Governor Alex Otti for heeding to their plea of reducing the size of the land from initial 1,800 hectares to 1,000 hectares
“So, the joy you see here today is the original joy of all the Nsulu people and particularly those who feel like Mary, the mother of Jesus, that we are privileged to be hosting the airport”,Rt Hon Azubike stated.
Contributing, a land owner, Barr Andrew Obinna Ijenri appreciated the sincerity of the Governor Otti’s administration in carrying the people along.
“I can’t exhaust my terms and nature of impression. I’ve experienced several governments and administrations come and pass. I think the administration of Dr Alex Chioma Otti has distinguished itself from what we used to have. It’s not like business as usual.
“The process of acquisition of land is top-notch. The government has been keeping to their promises.
“I have witnessed by phone calls and by oral testimony that some of our people have been paid. We are very happy.'”Barr. Ijenri said.
Several Community Representatives, including Nsulu Youth President Prince Chisom Nwaogbe, Umuala Youth President Ifeanyi Nwachukwu, Mrs. Bridget Ijenri, Mrs. Gift Umeh, and Rev. Israel Ukoma, Chairman of Community Relations for the Nsulu Airport Project, expressed their enthusiasm.
They pledged full support for the project and assured the government that the youths would safeguard project equipment and materials.
Earlier the of Manger, CRANEBURG Construction Company, Seba El -Nemer thanked Governor Otti and the Nsulu community for the successful commencement of the processes of creating access road that would lead to the runway.
He promised that the company would deliver the project efficiently and provide employment opportunities for both skilled and unskilled labour from the host communities.
The launch of clearing and road construction for the Abia Airport Nsulu drew a large crowd, with women singing and dancing in celebration of the long-awaited development.
