Kehinde Fajobi
Thirteen communities in Nsulu, Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area of Abia State, have voiced strong opposition to the proposed location of the Abia Airport project in their villages.
They argue that the project, if allowed to proceed, would displace millions of residents and destroy their farmlands, which are crucial for their livelihoods.
The protesting communities include Ikputu, Umuikeocha, Umuode, Umuezeukwu, Umuogu, Uwaoma/Ikoo Umuosu, Umuata Umuosu, Umule Umuosu, Okpulorukwu Umuosu, Umuodeche, Ubaha, Umuala, Umuezenta Nbawsi, Mbubo, and Umuomainta Nbawsi.
They claim that the proposed airport would lead to the demolition of homes, ancestral sites, churches, and graves, as well as adversely affect the environment.
The communities stressed that their farmland, located less than 2km from the marked site, would also be destroyed, leaving them with no means of sustenance.
In a petition addressed to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace, the Inspector General of Police, the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), and the National Security Adviser (NSA), the communities’ counsel, Sylvester Okonkwo, stated their position.
“Our clients are not against the building of the said airport by the Federal Government and Abia State Government but query the yardstick upon which the highly respected office of the Ministry of Aviation will close its eyes to the relocation of the approved site to a new place in Nsulu,” the petition read.
The petition argued that the proposed site was unsuitable due to its dense population and lack of proper Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
Instead, the communities suggested using the previously acquired land at Owerrinta in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area.
The petition explained that the Owerrinta land was originally acquired during the administration of former Imo State Governor Sam Mbakwe for an airport project but was later abandoned when the airport was relocated to Ngor Okpala near Owerri.
“Those lands acquired by the then Imo State Government, now at Owerrinta in Isiala Ngwa South LGA of Abia State, are still available for use by Governor Alex Otti today,” the petition noted.
It further pointed out that the Abia State Government under former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu had acquired additional land in Isiala Ngwa North for an airstrip project, which remains unused.
“Our clients are groaning with agony, not out of selfishness, but based on verifiable issues. An airport cannot be sited on a heavily populated community without consideration of its EIA and the livelihoods of the helpless inhabitants,” the petition stressed.
The communities warned that proceeding with the project at the proposed location could lead to the destruction of their villages and irreparable damage to their way of life.
They called on Governor Alex Otti and the Ministry of Aviation to reconsider the decision and use the already acquired uninhabited land for the project.