Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, displaying a document from stakeholders, endorsing the airport project during his engagement with Nsulu Community leaders
Nsulu clan denies rejecting siting airport project on their soil, as govt engages with host communities
From Boniface Okoro, Umuahia
Abia State government has embarked on community engagements to enlighten host communities on its intentions for siting of Abia airport on their land.
The airport project is sited on land of Nsulu clan in Isiala Ngwa North local government area.
Addressing traditional rulers and other representatives of the various host communities at the palace of Eze Christopher Ebere in Umuomaita, Isialangwa North, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Calab Ajagba, recalled that the government had earlier engaged with the Village Heads of the various communities and secured their consent for the project.
He showed them letters the various stakeholders of the communities had written to government, accepting the project and making some demands, as well as a communiqué issued by stakeholders of the clan consenting to the project, of which those present at the community engagement agreed that they, and their representatives, had endorsed.
He explained that there was no opposition to the project among the leaders but that the meeting was to prepare their minds towards receiving government’s delegation that would be visiting to interface with them, community by community, starting from Tuesday, 10th December 2024.
The Chief of Staff said that the government at present, is cutting traces in the site and when completed, real owners of the areas chosen would be identified and paid compensations before work would commence.
He described the community engagements as necessary to explain the intentions of government to the people and to assure them that government would to carry them along,
While highlighting the economic importance of having an airport in Nsulu clan, including employment opportunities for their children, road constructions around the area, constant electric light and other amenities, Pastor Ajagba stressed the need for the people not to toy with the opportunity of developing the area being presented to them by Governor Alex Otti through the airport project.
The Chief of State who assured them of genuine intentions of Governor Alex Otti in developing their area, stressed the need for them to jettison the protest done by some women which, he described as not necessary but politically-motivated.
In their separate responses, some of the traditional rulers, including Eze Christopher Ebere and Eze Patrick Anaba, confirmed that government had earlier explained its intentions to the people and there was no need blocking the government from developing Nsulu clan.
They said themselves and their children living overseas were in support of the project as they know the importance of having airport in their land and discountenanced the allegations of them taking bribe from government or selling the land to government. They urged other representatives at the meeting to communicate to their people accordingly.
Also responding, some other representatives of the host communities, including Chief Charles Ohia, and a woman leader, Mrs. Priscila Okugo, commended government for its decision to site an airport in their clan.
They however pointed out that their challenge was the inability of those representing some communities at the discussions to communicate to the people accordingly but assured of their support for the project.
