By Azu Ogbuokiri
The proposed Abia Airport in Nsulu, Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area, has become mired in controversy, with growing concerns surrounding the government’s transparency, or lack thereof, in the land acquisition process.
Local communities are demanding clarity on the amount of land acquired and the beneficiaries of the compensation scheme, alleging that the process is opaque and potentially riddled with irregularities.
The Abia State government has repeatedly stated that the airport project requires 1025 hectares of land.
However, dissenting voices are now calling for definitive proof. Community leaders and local residents are demanding the government publicly release a detailed breakdown of land acquired per community, to ascertain if the total land area tallies with the claimed 1025 hectares.
“We need concrete evidence,” stated Chief Eze Ugochukwu, a prominent community leader.
“The government keeps throwing around the 1025 hectares figure, but we have seen no verifiable documentation to support this claim.
“We deserve to know exactly how much land has been taken from each community and ensure it aligns with what has been promised.”
Adding fuel to the fire are allegations of imported names being added to the list of landowners and allocated substantial portions of land.
Landowners claim that individuals with no legitimate claim to ancestral land are being strategically positioned to benefit from the compensation scheme.
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To address these concerns, there are resounding calls for the government to publish a comprehensive list of landowners whose properties have been acquired, along with the specific amount of land taken from each individual.
The landowners believe this crucial step will help verify the legitimacy of the land acquisition process and expose any potential fraud.
“We are hearing whispers of individuals with no connection to this land being allocated vast swathes of it. This is simply unacceptable,” stated Mrs. Ngozi Okoro, a Nsulu landowner.
“The government needs to publish the names of the landowners, and the extent of their land acquisition so that we can verify the authenticity of this process. We have heard stories of party members being allocated huge portions of land. The government needs to be transparent to avoid any form of injustice.”
The lack of transparency is further compounded by discrepancies in compensation packages.
Reports indicate that in Ukwa and Umuahia, where land has been acquired for similar projects, compensation was reportedly set at approximately N1.8 million per plot.
However, the compensation rate and process for the Nsulu airport project remain shrouded in secrecy, raising suspicions of unfair treatment.
“Why is the Nsulu compensation being handled so differently?” asked Mr. Chidi Nwankwo, a community youth leader. “We are aware of the compensation rates being offered in other areas of the state. Why is that of Nsulu shrouded in secrecy? Are we being deliberately shortchanged? We demand the same level of transparency and fairness as our fellow Abia citizens.”
Adding weight to the concerns, private estate surveyors consulted by community representatives have estimated that the actual land acquired for the airport is closer to 500 hectares, significantly lower than the 1025 hectares claimed by the government. This disparity raises serious questions about the fate of the remaining 600 hectares.
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“Our private estate surveyors have confirmed that the land actually acquired is approximately 500 hectares. Where is the rest of the land going?” asked Chief Ugochukwu.
“Who is benefiting from this alleged grabbing of our 600 hectares of land? The government needs to answer these questions and provide concrete evidence to dispel these allegations.”
The rising tensions underscore the critical need for the Abia State government to prioritise transparency and address the concerns of the Nsulu community.
By publishing the requested information – a breakdown of land acquired per community, a comprehensive list of landowners and their land allocations, and a clear explanation of the compensation process – the government can rebuild trust and ensure the airport project proceeds fairly and equitably.
Without transparency, the Abia Airport project in Nsulu risks becoming a source of lasting resentment and undermining the very development it aims to bring.
The burden of proof lies with the government to demonstrate that the land acquisition process is just, transparent and benefits the entire community, not just a select few.
