The controversies raked up by the proposed Abia State Airport project have finally been laid to rest following the outcome of a “crucial meeting” between government officials and representatives of the host communities, including land owners.
A communique rolled out after the meeting, made available to the media the media weekend said that “all the grey areas” of disagreement have been ironed out amicably and a joint technical committee was inaugurated to facilitate the project.
According to the communique signed by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba for government, and Rt Hon Uzor Azubuike on behalf of Nsulu land owners, the parties agreed on the need for cooperation to realise the project.
The crucial meeting held at government house Umuahia was attended by government officials, community leaders, village and compound heads of land owners and technical team of the Nsulu Land Owners Forum.
In the communique signed by Chief of Staff to the Governor Pastor Caleb Ajagba for the government and Rt. Hon. Uzor Azubike for the Nsulu Airport land owners, the parties agreed on the need cooperation to realise the project.
They agreed “to work together to agree on any concern that may arise in future in the course of execution of the project, including but not limited to further reducing the land size”.
During the deliberations, the land owners raised concerns about the impact of the project on their community, including displacement and loss of livelihood.
Therefore, they appealed to government to consider further reduction of the size of the land acquired for the airport project to mitigate the consequential negative impact on the host communities.
The Nsulu land owners also appealed to the state government to allow them to continue farming on the acquired land until when government would commence actual development on the land.
Both parties further agreed that 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.
Abia government on its part assured land owners of transparency in its dealings with them, adding that it would pay adequate and full compensation and also involve the land owners in the project execution process.
In the communique, Nsulu people expressed their gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving an airstrip for Abia state and lauded Governor Alex Otti for upgrading the airstrip to an airport.
They also expressed joy on the choice of Nsulu for the proposed Abia Airport project and pledged their support and cooperation for the actualization of the project.
The Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Calab Ajagba had in his remarks said that the meeting was significant as it involves the owners of the land identified after government had reduced the size of the land from the original 1,800 to 1,325 hectares.
He said that all the agitations of the host communities “are manageable” given that the government of Alex Otti is a fair and considerate government that listens to its people.
The joint enlarged government/Nsulu Airport land technical committee has the CoS to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba heading the government team while Rt Hon Uzor Azubike would lead the Nsulu Airport land owners.
Other members of the committee include Hon Ginger Onwusibe, Hon Collins Iheonunekwu, Amb. Innocent Uruakpa, Hon Chaka Chukwumerije, Hon Chimezie Ukaegbu, Hon Matthew Ekwuruibe, Pastor Okorougo Aji, and Mr Uduma Nmong.
Also included in the enlarged joint committee are all members of the technical committee of Nsulu Land Owners Forum, community village heads of host communities, Councilors representing wards in the host communities, traditional rulers in the host communities, and one compound representative for each of the compounds of land owners.