Nsulu, Abia State – Representatives from communities affected by the proposed Abia Airport project gathered on Wednesday to voice their concerns, claiming the state government failed to ensure transparency and fairness in land acquisition for the project. Local leaders assert that adequate compensation has not been provided to landowners, prompting protests at the Umunkolo Civic Hall.
During the demonstration, attendees waved placards with messages such as “Adequate compensation should be paid to landowners” and “30% discount not acceptable after 10% deduction by attorney.” Landowners expressed frustrations regarding the government’s lack of clarity about the actual land sizes being acquired.
Chimaeze Nwabuko, a landowner from Umulenwa Mbawsi, shared his discontent: “We deserve adequate compensation, especially during this farming season. The process has not been transparent, and we need answers.”
Despite the unrest, police at the airport project site advised the community to submit their grievances peacefully rather than protest, indicating a preference for dialogue over confrontation.
The controversy surrounding the Abia Airport has intensified as local communities demand a clear breakdown of the land acquisition details to confirm the claimed area of 1,025 hectares. Community leader Chief Eze Ugochukwu emphasized the need for verifiable evidence: “We need concrete proof of the land sizes and who exactly benefits from the compensation,” he stated.
There are allegations that individuals with no ties to the community are receiving significant portions of land. Mrs. Ngozi Okoro, a Nsulu landowner, expressed her concerns, asserting, “The government must publish a comprehensive list of landowners and ensure the process is transparent. We’ve heard rumors that some people not connected to the land are being favored.”
Compounding these issues, differing compensation amounts have been reported. For similar projects in areas like Ukwa and Umuahia, compensation rates were set around N1.8 million per plot, while the rates for the Nsulu airport project remain undisclosed, raising suspicions of unfair treatment.
Community youth leader Mr. Chidi Nwankwo questioned, “Why is the compensation for Nsulu different? Are we being cheated on purpose? We demand the same level of transparency as our fellow citizens in other regions.”
Concerns are also raised by private estate surveyors, who estimate that the total land actually acquired for the airport is approximately 500 hectares, significantly less than the government’s assertion of 1,025 hectares. Chief Ugochukwu added, “What’s happening to the rest of the land? The government must clarify where it’s going and who stands to gain.”
The growing tension underlines the urgent need for the Abia State government to prioritize transparency in addressing the Nsulu community’s grievances. To move forward with the airport project fairly, officials need to publish detailed information regarding the land acquisition, including a full list of landowners, their allocations, and clear compensation guidelines.
Without such transparency, the Abia Airport project risks inciting long-term resentment among local residents, jeopardizing the very development it aims to provide.
