Gov Otti, FG flag-off the construction of Abia Airport in Nsulu.
Governor Alex Otti and the Federal Government have performed the ground breaking ceremony for the construction of the Abia Airport in Nsulu, Isialangwa North LGA of Abia State.
Speaking during the event held at the Community School Ubaha Nsulu, Governor Otti reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to leveraging partnerships and opportunities to drive sustainable development initiatives that would revolutionize the State’s socio-economic landscape.
“We made a commitment that under our watch, Abia will never let promising opportunities slip-by whether it is collaborating with multi-lateral partners, Federal government and it’s agencies, sister States, business organizations and individuals who have something of value to offer us.
“We are constantly open to making the most of the opportunities we find because there lies the path to sustained progress,” Otti stated.
The Governor commended President Bola Tinubu for his practical commitment to the rapid social economic development of the South East geopolitical zone.
He added that the President not only approved the initial plan to build an airstrip in the State but also magnanimously consented to the State government’s proposal to expand the scope of the project to become a full fledged Airport.
Governor Otti also highlighted the planned development of an Airport City, including the revitalization of the Nsulu Games Village and the establishment of hotels and other facilities to support tourism and business activities.
The Governor who emphasized the economic importance of the Airport project said that it is an integral part of his administration’s urbanization agenda and a catalyst for economic transformation.
“An airport in Abia particularly at this location will not only accelerate our urbanization agenda beyond Aba and Umuahia, it will also send a clear signal to the world that we are open and prepared to rise to a higher plane in the race for social and economic transformation of our homeland”.
Governor Otti thanked the host communities and disclosed that the State has started preparation for payment of compensation to genuine land owners. He announced the setting up of and activation of a support structure headed by his Chief of Staff and an indigene of Nsulu to be responding to enquires to ensure that no member of the host communities would be cheated .
Performing the ground breaking ceremony of the Airport Project, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Barr. Festus Keyamo, SAN, said that the Abia Airport was first conceptualized as an Airstrip by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu while Governor Alex Otti partnered the Federal Government in converting the project to a full fledge Airport with firm promise to provide all that is required including counterpart funding for the project.
Barr. Keyamo while noting that Abia is the heartbeat of industrialisation of the South East region, described Airport as a veritable enabler for economic and social development.
He said that it is the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that Abia be connected to the rest of the world through the project and assured that the people of Nsulu community would be given first considerations in appointment and employment in the airport project.
Also speaking, the Deputy Speaker, Federal House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu said that President Tinubu is deliberate about the development of the South East and Abia in particular, saying that, he is the only President that assented to the South East Development Commission Bill into an Act.
While describing Governor Otti as a Governor that understands synergy, Rt. Hon. Kalu assured that the National Assembly would ensure that enough funds are appropriated to support the Airport project, which he said is of great economic importance.
In her speech, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Dr. Mrs. Nkeiruka Onyejiocha thanked Mr. President for considering Abia for the siting of an international Airport and maintained that Abia will benefit a lot from the project.
Mrs. Onyejiocha used the opportunity to disclose that Mr. President would by January unveil a Federal Government Project aimed at employing Abia and Nigeria youths and removing Nigeria youths from the streets and employing them in productive ventures.
In their speeches, the member representing Isialangwa North and South Federal Constituency, Chief Ginger Onwusibe and a stakeholder in the area Chief Ncheta Omerekpe while calling on the host community, the Nsulu people to cooperate with the State Government for the smooth take off and completion of the project in record time, pointing out that the administration of Governor Alex Otti meant well for the people of Isialangwa North LGA.
Earlier in their remarks, the Commissioner for Transport Dr. Chimezie Ukaegbu and his Lands and Housing counterpart, Mr Chaka Chukwumereije while describing the Airport project as a gateway to the world and a catalyst for economic and sustainable growth revealed that the Airport project would be situated on a 1,325 (one thousand, three hundred and twenty five) hectares of land while compensation will be duly paid to the land donors.
The event which attracted many dignitaries including the former Senate President, Senator Adolphus Wabara, Speaker Abia State House of Assembly and members of the House, members of the State Executive Council, traditional rulers, members of the clergy, captains of industry, and Prince Benjamin Apugo among others, featured goodwill messages.
