John Nwaigwe
- Abia Airport Land Dispute: Landowners Demand Reduced Map, In-Person Meetings With Technical Committee
Tensions remain high in the ongoing dispute surrounding land acquisition for the proposed Nsulu Airport in Abia State.
The Nsulu Airport Landowners Forum (NALF) has issued a strongly worded statement demanding a detailed map of the reduced acquisition area and a resumption of in-person technical committee meetings with the state government.
In a letter addressed to the Chief of Staff to the Executive Governor, the NALF reiterated its rejection of the current land enumeration exercise, arguing that it violates an existing court order mandating a “status quo” until the legal matter is resolved.
The letter, signed by Dr. Max Nduaguibe (Chairman) and Elele Felix (Secretary) of the NALF, points to a previous communication dated January 3rd, 2025, outlining their concerns.
The core of the NALF’s demands centers on transparency and verification.
Following a virtual meeting with the government on February 16th, 2025, the Forum is requesting a detailed map showing the revised land acquisition area, reduced from the initial 1,800 to 1,325 hectares and 1,025 hectares respectively.
This map, they insist, must include precise coordinates to allow an independent surveyor to verify the boundaries on the ground.
The Forum believes this step is crucial to ensure the accuracy of the land reduction and prevent future disputes.
The NALF also expressed deep dissatisfaction with the virtual meeting format, stating that the government’s Zoom meetings have been unproductive and lack transparency.
They are calling for a return to in-person technical committee meetings in a mutually agreed-upon neutral location, such as a village hall, to allow for more open and constructive dialogue.
The letter underscores the NALF’s contention that the ongoing enumeration is premature and potentially invalid due to the outstanding legal challenges.
Any enumeration conducted before the exact extent of the government-approved reduction is clearly defined and independently verified, they argue, risks being declared null and void, leading to unnecessary delays and further complications.
Copies of the letter have been sent to key stakeholders, including Rt. Hon. Ginger Onwusibe (Federal Representative for Isiala Ngwa North & South), Hon. Collins Iheonunekwu (State Representative for Isiala Ngwa North), and the Abia State Commissioner for Lands.
The Forum is urging swift action on its demands and awaits a prompt response from the government.
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This development highlights the continuing stalemate in negotiations over the airport project.
The NALF’s firm stance on the legality of the enumeration process and its demand for transparency suggest a protracted legal battle may still lie ahead, casting doubt on the timeline for the proposed airport’s development.
