Abia Airport Land Dispute: Host Communities Strongly Object To Governor Otti’s Acquisition Plan -By Isaac Asabor

As a storm of controversy rages over the proposed Abia Airport project in Nsulu, Isialangwa North Local Government Area, host communities have come out strongly against Governor Alex Otti’s land acquisition plan.

In an open letter to the Governor, the communities expressed serious concerns about the extent of the land grab, transparency issues, representation disputes, and disregard for a pending court order.

The letter, signed by a coalition of community leaders and legal representatives, paints a picture of fear and distrust surrounding the project.

Some of the representatives who signed the letter include:  Barr. Osita Ogbulamiri, Umuezenta; Okezie Miller Nwosu, Okpuala Mbara Ogbom;  High Chief Vincent Barrah, Okpulukwu, Amaechi Nwogbe, Dr Emmanuel Dawari, Umuwaoma; Dr. Max Nduaguibe, Umuezenta; Chiweuba David, Uwaoma Nko; Isreal Ogbonna, Umuata; Sir Chinanu Ogbulamiri of Umuezenta; Innocent Anaba, Umuogele, and Nnamdi Ubani, Umuezeukwu amongst others.

The government’s intention to acquire 1,025 hectares of land is at the heart of the dispute, which the communities believe is excessive and potentially devastating to their livelihoods.

“The loss of this vast tract of land would lead to insufficient land for farming, housing, and essential needs, eventually resulting in hunger, starvation, and potential extinction,” the letter stated, emphasising the communities’ concerns.

 “Our communities would be left with less space for new homes, burial grounds, and community development, jeopardising our way of life.”

Residents argue that the proposed land area is disproportionate to the airport’s actual needs, citing the smaller footprints of established airports in neighbouring states such as Owerri, Ebonyi, and Enugu.

They also draw parallels with the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila, Philippines, a major international hub built on a much smaller 440 hectares despite serving 48 million passengers per year.

Based on these comparisons, the communities propose negotiating a land size of no more than 400 hectares, which they believe will strike a balance between the airport’s development needs and the preservation of their livelihoods and cultural heritage.

Beyond the sheer size of the acquisition, the letter raises serious concerns about transparency and access to information.

The communities are demanding that the government provide them with the full survey plan for the proposed acquisition, including coordinates and control points.

They argue that this information is critical for understanding the airport’s true land requirements and the potential impact on their respective communities.

“The lack of transparency and the government’s forc attempts to acquire our land has created distrust and raised concerns about the government’s intentions from the beginning,” the letter claimed. 

“We believe that providing this information is critical for establishing trust and keeping our communities informed and engaged throughout the process.”

The representation debate adds fuel to the fire. The communities are outraged by the government’s decision to appoint representatives on their behalf without their permission, viewing it as a violation of their autonomy and agency.

They argue that the current arrangement, in which appointed landowners must negotiate with themselves, is fundamentally flawed and undermines the legitimacy of the entire process.

“We take strong exception to the government’s decision to appoint representatives for our host communities without our consent,” the letter stated.

“This action violates our autonomy and agency, and we strongly believe that we should be able to select our own representatives to ensure our voices are heard.”

Furthermore, the communities are questioning the government’s plan to build commercial projects such as a hotel, housing estate, and school on the acquired land.

They argue that these ventures do not meet the standard of “overriding public interest” and are essentially a commercial land grab disguised as infrastructure development.

Perhaps the most contentious issue is the alleged disregard for a pending court order. The communities claim that the government has continued to work on the airport project despite a court order to halt further action pending the hearing and resolution of their lawsuit.

They argue that the alleged defiance of the judiciary undermines the rule of law and creates the perception of government impunity.

“We demand that the government respect the court order to halt further action on the airport project pending the hearing and resolution of our suit,” the letter stated emphatically.

“The government’s continued actions on the project, despite the court order, undermine the rule of law and give the impression that the state is above the law.”

The situation remains tense, with residents hoping for a productive dialogue with Governor Otti and his administration.

 They insist on a fair and transparent process that respects their rights, livelihoods, and cultural heritage, rather than simply opposing the airport project.

The state government has yet to officially respond to the allegations raised in the open letter. The outcome of this dispute will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the future of the Abia Airport project, as well as the relationship between the state government and its constituent communities.

The question now is whether Governor Otti will address the concerns raised and engage in meaningful negotiations with the affected residents.