The Governor of Abia State has received a request to compensate ten communities whose land was acquired for the construction of an international airport within the state. The airport project, which commenced in December 2024 in Nsulu, Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area, involved acquiring approximately 1,350 hectares of land from the affected communities.
A legal practitioner, Simon Nwangwa, presented a petition highlighting the need for fair compensation for the communities affected by the land acquisition. These communities include Ubaha Nsulu, Umuosu Nsulu, Nbawsi, Ikputu Nsulu, Umuode Nsulu, Umuogu Nsulu, Umuodeche Nsulu, Umuezeukwu Nsulu, Umuezenta, and Umuala Nsulu.
Nwangwa stressed the importance of engaging landowners and their representatives in transparent negotiations to ensure fair and reasonable compensation. He mentioned the challenges faced by Ubaha Nsulu, the village that welcomed officials despite significant land loss.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Abia State Governor, Ukoha Njoku, affirmed the government’s commitment to compensating all affected communities. Njoku clarified the government’s compensation policy and reassured that arrangements were in place to ensure timely payments to communities impacted by the airport project.