Abia Airport Project: Nsulu Traditional rulers, leaders of thought, indigenes pledge unreserved support
The proposed Abia Airport, a collaborative effort between the Federal and State Government is one that is set to change the face of Nsulu the host community in Isialangwa North local government area of Abia state.
In recent days this laudable project has come under the radar of some whose DNA mark them out as agents of controversy in pursuit of narrow selfish interest, trampling the interests of the majority with the intention of derailing that which stands to benefit Umunna Nsulu and Abia State.
The body of traditional rulers of Nsulu and leaders of thought have pledged their unalloyed support for this transformative project; earmarked to sit on an expansive 1350 acres of Nsulu land which will bring about both direct and indirect benefits to indigenes of the area.
Acknowledging the support of traditional rulers form Umunna Nsulu and setting the records straight, the Chief of staff to the Governor Pastor Dr. Caleb Ajagba identified these individuals who seek to muddle the waters as expired political agents and though they have been in the corridors of power without notable value, are yet bent on making sure development comes to Nsula land not to talk of an iconic infrastructure as an airport.
He further identified these individuals as a narrow minded minority who have engaged in propaganda in a bid to confuse the people but such efforts will end in open shame.
At the inception of the Abia Airport Project, the Federal government through the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace agency approached the state for a suitable location which in this instance was Nsulu in Isialangwa North. The State Ministry of Lands and housing thereafter made to engage directly with land owners in the community to determine compensation to be paid for the takeover.
The good news of the planned Federal Government airport was officially delivered to the host community through Eze C. I. Ebere of Umuomainta Nbawsi in Nsulu in May. Leaders of thought in Umunna-Asato-Nsulu community leaders forum – comprising all the communities within Nsulu officially wrote to the state government in July after the initial introduction of the project, welcoming it and making a few suggestions on it’s implementation. These suggestions were well received by the state government.
From the aforementioned, it is obvious that members of the communities in Nsulu land who are to host this signature project were carried along from the very beginning. It is therefore a sad note for selfish individuals to go on social media claiming that the host communities have not been made aware of the project.
These detractors and agents of a lame duck opposition have gone further spewing unfounded false allegations that the state government intends to seize the ancestral lands of members of the host community without compensation. Nothing can be farther from the truth than this false claim!
Available records speak resoundingly for the government of Dr. Alex Otti as one diligent in following due process when it comes to payment of compensation to those whom it is dew before taking over any private property in an overriding public interest.
The reconstruction of the iconic Ossa road now renamed General Aguiye Ironsi bullevard is a clear case in point were full compensations were made before commencement of reconstruction, as it is with other projects.
Further setting the records straight, Chief of Staff to the governor Pastor Caleb Ajagba revealed that the cutting of trails is the only activity that the government has carried out, aimed to determine the portion of land to be acquired for the Abia Airport Project. After this is completed, actual land owners will be identified and compensations will be paid to the land owners directly.
The controversy masterminded by some spent politicians from the area to derail a laudable project expected to lead to the construction of access roads and other utilities which is the mark of development for Usulu land and Abia state is indeed a sad note! These detractors continue to operate with the old mind set that by spewing lies against the project, they will be noticed and called in for “settlement”.
This is not going to happen under the New Abia championed by the transformative governor Dr. Alex Chioma Otti. He is the new sheriff in town and is a stickler for due process, hence no undeserving person who is willing to play a spoilers role will be noticed by his adminstration. These individuals have been rejected and retired politically for all time!
Tuesday the 17th of December 2024 is the day set for groundbreaking of the Abia Airport Project and this much anticipated ceremony will be carried out by Abia state governor Dr. Alex Chioma Otti and the Honourable Minister for Aviation and Aerospace technology Festus Keyamo – SAN.
For the records, it was the intervention of Governor Alex Otti that brought about an upgrade of the project from an airstrip, which was the initial plan of the Federal Government to a full fledged airport with longer runways which will be able to accommodate large cargo and passenger aircrafts.
Governor Otti went on to pledge the state governments willingness to partner with the Federal Government in actualising this transformative project.
Abia Airport Project has come to be and has come stay. All persons of goodwill are encouraged to support this milestone project set to transform the transport sector and economy of Abia.
A New Abia is hear as championed by Dr. Alex Chioma Otti.
By Chukwuma Elvis, Public Affairs Commentator