Abia Airport: Project Riddled With Financial Heist As Land Owners Reclaim Farmlands Over Compensation Dispute

Nsulu, Abia State – Land owners in Nsulu, Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area, host of the Abia Airport, have declared they are reclaiming their farmlands earmarked for the proposed Abia Airport project, citing monumental financial heist, lack of transparency, and alleged fraudulent practices in the compensation process by the Abia State government.

The move comes as communities grapple with food insecurity following a year of disrupted farming.

Villages including Okpuala, Umuezenta, and Umuelenwa, all within the Umuominta Autonomous Community, announced their decision Tuesday, accusing the Abia State Ministry of Lands and Survey of including fictitious names on compensation lists and failing to engage directly with legitimate land owners.

“We have lost confidence in the ministry and believe the state government is not dealing with the actual owners of the land,” stated Echezolam Ukaumunna, Village Head of Umuezenta and Secretary of the Nsulu Landowners Association, while leading journalists around the proposed runway site.

The landowners allege that despite the government’s claim of compensating 3,500 people, the published lists contain non-existent names while genuine owners, some possessing up to 80 portions of land, remain unpaid. They also criticise the lack of clarity regarding compensation rates for land and cash crops.

“How can the government continue to say it has compensated 3,500 people? Even at that, what we are asking for is for them to publish a complete list of those they have paid, not fictitious names,” Ukaumunna demanded.

The landowners specifically accused one individual, Nnamdi Oguwa, of colluding with government consultants and attorneys to fraudulently claim and fleece landowners of their compensation.

They also cited names like Henry Nwosu and Ogbonna Azubuike as examples of individuals receiving compensation despite not owning land in the area.

The dispute has already had a devastating impact on the community. Landowners say they were unable to farm last year due to the land acquisition process, leading to increased poverty and even petty theft.

“Petty robbery has become the order of the day in Nbawsi as the youths who can no longer cope with the harsh situation have now taken to petty robbery,” Ukaumunna explained.

While not opposing the airport project itself, the landowners have decided to resume farming on portions of land not directly impacting the runway construction, hoping to avert further hunger and starvation.

They called on Governor Alex Otti to prioritise transparency and engage directly with the rightful land owners.

“We are not opposing the airport, but we need transparency. We want the Governor to scrutinise those engaging with the villagers,” said Isaac Ndukwe, a resident.

Mrs. Ihuoma Ogubunka, a widow and landowner, echoed the sentiment, stating, “We are tired of begging the Abia State government to do the right thing. Hunger and starvation have taken a toll on us.”

The Abia State government has yet to respond to the allegations. The future of the airport project now hangs in the balance as the landowners stand firm in their demand for a fair and transparent compensation process.