Abia Govt Inaugurates Committee To Resolve Nsulu Airport Project Issues
Abia State government has inaugurated a technical committee to iron out grey areas in the airport project at Nsulu, Isiala Ngwa North council area with the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, leading the government team while Chief Uzo Abubuike leads the land owners forum.
In a meeting attended by government officials, Nsulu land owners and stakeholders at Government House,Umuahia, Ajagba disclosed that both parties have agreed on certain grey areas which led to the inauguration of a joint technical committee to further make progress in the project.
The Chief of Staff also explained that the government had decided to reduce the size of the land of the airport project from the original 1,800 to 1,325 hectares.
The Nsulu land owners forum led by the chairman ,Chief Uzo Azubuike, had urged the state government to reduce the land size of the airport project because the land owners would have no land to farm and live on if the entire 1,800 hectares is fully taken by the government.
In a communique signed by Pastor Caleb Ajagba for the government and Chief Uzo Azubuike for the Nsulu Airport land owners forum, the government and Nsulu people agreed to work together over any concern that may arise in future in the course of execution of the project.
The communique read; “The Nsulu land owners expressed concerns about the impact of the project on their communities including displacement and loss of livelihood and urged the government to consider further reduction of the land size for the airport project.
“The Nsulu Land owners also urged the state government to allow them to continue to farm on the acquired land until government starts actual development on the land.
“Both parties 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 while the government assured land owners of the transparency in its undertakings with them.
“The government also promised to pay full compensation while involving the land owners in the project development process.
“The Nsulu community commends President Bola Tinubu for approving an airstrip for the state and lauded Governor Alex Otti for upgrading the airstrip to an airport and for choosing Nsulu for the airport project and pledged their support and corporation for the actualization of the project.”
Other members of the joint technical committee include, Hon Ginger Onwusibe, Hon Collins Iheonunekwu, Amb. Innocent Uruakpa, Hon Chaka Chukwumerije, Hon Chimezie Ukaegbu, Hon. Matthew Ekwuruibe, Pastor Okorougo Aji, Mr Uduma Nmong, all members of the technical committee of land owners forum for 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.
In their separate speeches, 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 government for engaging the real land owners and called for attention to be paid to certain concerns raised by the people
On his part, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Lands, Housing and Project Coordinator, Abia Airport, Pastor Okorougo Aji,recalled the journey of the airport project, including the processes of land acquisition.
Some land owners including, Mr. Martin Ajuonu, Mrs Kate Nnanna and Nneoha Roseline Orji, among others, expressed joy that government called them to explain the state of affairs.
They assured that with the information they got, they would no longer rely on rumours and urged the government to keep to its promise.