BREAKING: Host Community Celebrates As Road Construction To Abia Airport Begins

The Abia State Government has commenced the clearing of the access road leading to the runway of the proposed Abia Airport in Nsulu, Isialangwa North Local Government Area, amid cheers and jubilation from members of the host communities.

The development, which marks a major milestone in the airport project, appears to have quelled earlier concerns about the community’s support for the initiative.

Speaking at the site on Friday, the chief of staff to the governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, said the project is being carried out in collaboration with the federal government and reaffirmed the commitment of Governor Alex Otti’s administration to fulfilling its promises.

“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,” Ajagba said.

He dismissed reports suggesting resistance from the Nsulu community, stating that the reactions of landowners and residents show their acceptance of the project.

Chief of Staff to the Abia State Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, with the People of Nsulu Community.

“You can see that contrary to the wrong notion that the Nsulu community is receptive to this very important project. You can see for yourself that that notion is wrong and is not correct,” he added.

Ajagba also commended the host communities for their cooperation and announced that compensation had commenced for landowners.

“I want to commend the host communities for the level of maturity, understanding, and commitment that they have shown. It is quite commendable, and we are all proud of the 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,” he stated.

Also speaking, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Land and Housing and Project Coordinator for the Abia Airport Project said the clearing of the access road was a critical phase.

“Today, another process of the airport has kicked off; we have done enumeration and other things; today, we are creating the access road into the runway so that we can do the necessary soil test and other investigations at the runway.

“It is about 853 kilometres from the main road to the runway point. So, we are looking at the next 5 to 7 days to finish clearing the access way,” he explained.

The leader of the landowners in the Government Land Owners Forum for Abia State Airport, Nsulu, and Chairman of the Memorandum of Agreement Committee, Rt. Hon. Uzor Azubuike praised the governor for responding to their appeal by reducing the size of the land earmarked for the project.

“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,” Azubuike said.

A landowner, Barr. Andrew Obinna Ijenri lauded the government’s approach to land acquisition and transparency.

“I can’t exhaust my terms and the nature of my 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,” he said.

“The process of acquisition of land is top-notch. The government has been keeping to their promises. I have witnessed, by phone calls and oral testimony, that some of our people have been paid. We are very happy,” he added.

Community members, including the Youth President of Nsulu, Prince Chisom Nwaogbe; Youth President of Umuala, Ifeanyi Nwachukwu; Mrs. Bridget Ijenri; Mrs. Gift Umeh; and Chairman of Community Relations for Nsulu Airport Project, Rev. Israel Ukoma, all expressed happiness that the airport project has taken off.

They pledged their support for the project and assured that the community would help protect the equipment and materials of the contractors.

The project manager for CRANEBURG Construction Company, Seba El-Nemer, thanked the governor and the host community for their cooperation and assured that the firm would deliver the project efficiently. He also said skilled and unskilled workers from the area were being engaged.

The start of clearing work drew large crowds from the community, with women chanting and dancing in celebration of what they described as a new chapter in the history of Nsulu.