The Abia State Government has inaugurated a Joint Enlarged Technical Committee to facilitate ongoing engagement process between the Government and Land owners regarding the proposed Abia Airport project in Nsulu, Isialangwa North Local Government Area.
The Committee, inaugurated on Thursday at the Banquet Hall, Government House Umuahia, is to be Chaired by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, representing the Government, while Rt. Hon. Uzor Azubuike leads the landowners’ delegation.
Other members of the Committee include, the Member Representing Isialangwa North and South Federal Constituency, Hon. Ginger Onwusibe, Member Representing Isiala North State Constituency, Hon. Collins Iheonunekwu, Amb. Innocent Uruakpa, Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Hon. Chaka Chukwumerije.
The rest are; the Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Chimezie Ukaegbu, Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Hon. Matthew Ekwuruibe, S A to the Governor on Land and Housing, Pastor Okorougo Aji, and Mr. Uduma Nmong, alongside community representatives, traditional rulers, and Councilors from the host Communities.
The inauguration of the Committee follows an exhaustive deliberation between Government officials, Stakeholders, Village and Compound Heads, and the Nsulu Land Owners Forum Technical Team.
The Meeting, which centered on concerns over land acquisition, compensation, and Community benefits, resulted in key resolutions aimed at fostering mutual understanding and cooperation.
Among the resolutions, contained in a Communique issued at the end of the Meeting and signed by Pastor Caleb Ajagba, on behalf of Government and Rt. Hon. Uzor Azubuike for the Nsulu Airport Land Owners, the Nsulu landowners commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving an airstrip for Abia State.
They lauded Governor Alex Otti for upgrading the project to a full-fledged Airport as well as selecting Nsulu as the host Community and pledged their support for the project’s realization.
However, the landowners Team, led by Rt. Hon. Uzor Azubuike, raised concerns about displacement and loss of livelihood, and appealed for a further reduction in the land size allocated for the airport.
The land owners team also expressed concerns about the projects impact on their community including displacement and loss of livelihood and appealed to Government to consider further reduction of the land size allocated for the airport project.
“The teams agreed to work together to on any concerns that may arise in future in the course of execution of the project “including but not limited to further reducing the land size”, the Communique stated.
Additionally, the Nsulu Land owners appealed to the State Government to allow them to continue farming on the acquired land until actual construction begins.
According to the Communique, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) would be drafted to guide all the parties for the duration of the project as it concerns what the host communities would benefit from the project upon completion.
The State Government assured land owners of the transparency in their undertakings with them as well as promised to pay adequate and full compensation while involving the land owners in the project development process.
The Communique reaffirmed the commitment of both the Government and host communities to collaboratively address emerging issues to ensure the smooth execution of the Abia Airport Project.
In their separate speeches during the meeting , the Member Representing Isiala Ngwa North and South Federal Constituency, Hon. Ginger Onwusibe and Member Representing Isiala North State Constituency, Hon. Ugochukwu Iheonunekwu, commended the State Government for engaging with the rightful landowners and urged the Government to address some concerns raised by the people.
Earlier, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, emphasized the significance of the meeting, noting that it involved the recognized landowners following the Government’s decision to reduce the land size from 1,800 to 1,325 hectares.
Pastor Ajagba who reaffirmed Governor Otti’s commitment to fairness assured the people that Government would look into their agitations with a view to resolving them.
The Special Assistant to the Governor on Lands and Housing and Project Coordinator of the Abia Airport, Pastor Okorougo Aji, provided an update on the progress of the project and outlined the processes of the land acquisition.
Some landowners, including Mrs. Kate Nnanna, Nneoha Roseline Orji, and Mr. Martin Ajuonu, appreciated the State Government for the engagement which dispelled rumors, and urged the Government to keep to its promise.
The Meeting was attended by key dignitaries, including Commissioners, landowners from all the host Communities and villages of Nsulu.
