In a historic milestone for Abia State, the government has officially commenced the clearing of the access road leading to the runway of the much-anticipated Abia Airport Nsulu. This significant development has sparked excitement among host communities, who gathered in numbers to celebrate the tangible progress of the project.
At the project site in Umuala Nsulu, Isiala Ngwa North Local government area of the State, the Chief of Staff (CoS) to Abia State Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, Ph.D., reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of Governor Alex Otti’s administration to delivering the airport in collaboration with the federal government. He emphasized the sincerity of the government’s approach, dismissing earlier misconceptions about the community’s reception of the project.
Pastor Ajagba highlighted the widespread acceptance of the initiative, noting that the people of Nsulu are fully in support of the airport's development. He praised the host communities for their understanding and maturity, acknowledging their critical role in ensuring a smooth implementation of the project.
Furthermore, he reassured landowners that compensation payments had already begun, a move that has brought visible joy and confidence in the process.
The Special Assistant to the Governor on Land and Housing, who also serves as the Project Coordinator for the Abia Airport Project, described the clearing of access as a major milestone. He outlined the next steps, including soil testing and further investigations at the runway site, with an estimated timeframe of five to seven days for completing the access road clearing.
Adding to the commendations, Rt. Hon. Uzor Azubuike, Chairman of the Memorandum of Agreement Committee and leader of the Government Land Owners Forum for Abia State Airport Nsulu, praised Governor Otti for his responsiveness to their requests. He highlighted the administration’s decision to reduce the initial land size from 1,800 hectares to 1,000 hectares as a reflection of its sensitivity to the people’s concerns.
Landowner Barr. Andrew Obinna Ijenri echoed similar sentiments, applauding the transparency and efficiency of Governor Otti’s administration in handling the land acquisition process. He noted that unlike past experiences, this government has demonstrated a clear commitment to keeping its promises, a sentiment reinforced by testimonies of those who have already received compensation.
The enthusiasm surrounding the project was further echoed by various community representatives, including Youth President of Nsulu, Prince Chisom Nwaogbe, Youth President of Umuala, Ifeanyi Nwachukwu, and key figures such as Mrs. Bridget Ijenri, Mrs. Gift Umeh, and Rev. Isreal Ukoma, Chairman of Community Relations for the Nsulu Airport Project. They all expressed their excitement, acknowledging that the project is finally materializing after prolonged speculations. The youths, in particular, pledged to safeguard the project’s working materials, ensuring a hitch-free execution.
On the technical front, the Manager of CRANEBURG Construction Company, Seba El-Nemer, extended gratitude to Governor Otti and the Nsulu community for their cooperation. He assured that his team is committed to delivering on the project, with a strong focus on engaging skilled and unskilled labor from the host communities.
The commencement of the access road clearing marks a crucial step in realizing the long-awaited Abia Airport Nsulu project. With women dancing and singing in celebration, the atmosphere in Nsulu is one of optimism and renewed faith in the Otti-led administration’s vision for infrastructural transformation in Abia State.
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