Abia Airport: Displaced landowners allege fraud, injustice

By Providence Ayanfeoluwa

The operation of the projected Abia International Airport has ignited outrage among landowners successful the Nsulu communities of Umuezenta, Umuelenwa, and Okpuala successful Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area, who impeach the authorities authorities of fraud and injustice successful the acquisition of their ancestral lands.

While the Abia State authorities promotes the airdrome arsenic a awesome of economical progress, displaced farmers accidental they person been shortchanged done opaque dealings, inadequate compensation, and deficiency of consultation. “We are not against development,” said assemblage person Emeka Nwankwo. “But this airdrome is being built connected our tears.”

Governor Alex Otti, who campaigned connected transparency and accountability, insists that 100 percent compensation has been paid. However, villagers accidental the governor’s assurances ringing hollow, demanding the nationalist merchandise of the compensation database detailing who was paid, however much, and based connected what criteria.

Community leaders allege that the database includes names of individuals with nary ancestral transportation to the affected lands, including non-indigenes. “We saw names we had ne'er heard before, immoderate with Yoruba origins,” said Chief Uche Nnadi. “It’s a blatant effort to siphon wealth that belongs to us.”

Several residents assertion they were coerced into signing documents they did not understand. “They brought papers for america to motion and told america to capable successful our slope details,” said husbandman Silas Ibe. “Later, we received tiny sums acold beneath the worth of our lands.”

Others allege intimidation by authorities agents whenever they effort to protest. “We are farmers, not lawyers,” lamented widow Chioma Eze. “They instrumentality vantage of our ignorance and vulnerability. Where is the justness successful that?”

Beyond compensation, the airdrome task has disrupted the communities’ lone h2o source, their ancestral stream, which is present being filled with sand. Residents accidental the authorities has provided nary alternative, worsening their hardship.

The villagers besides impeach Governor Otti of neglecting to sojourn the task tract since the contention began. “If helium genuinely cares, helium should travel and spot things for himself,” said Madam Okoro, an aged nonmigratory of Umuomainta.

Some residents comparison Otti’s actions with the compassion preached by Labour Party Presidential campaigner successful the 2023 poll, Peter Obi. “Peter Obi spoke astir compassion and justness successful Lagos,” said younker person Nnanna Ukandu. “But here, Otti is treating america similar we don’t matter.”

The landowners are demanding a afloat probe into alleged fraud, a reappraisal of compensation payments, entree to the Memorandum of Understanding, proviso of alternate h2o sources, and nonstop engagement from the governor.

“The airdrome should not travel astatine the outgo of our practice and dignity,” said Chief Nnadi. “We privation transparency, fairness, and respect. Only past volition improvement genuinely mean advancement for the radical of Nsulu.”

The station Abia Airport: Displaced landowners allege fraud, injustice appeared archetypal connected Vanguard News.