Leaders wey dey represent Umuezeukwu community for Isiala Ngwa North LGA of Abia State don cry out again say make state government give dem better space—at least 500 meters—between dia houses and the new airport project wey dey happen for dia area.

Di people talk dis one on Monday, say dem don dey beg government since, but nobody dey answer dem. Dem still complain say the airport project go affect dia ancestral land and farms, and up till now, government never give dem any palliative or compensation.

One of di community leaders, Chief Uche Ubani, yarn say the land wey government first collect for the airport na 1,850 hectares, but e later reduce am to 1,550 hectares. Some communities like Agburuike and Umuogu benefit from that first reduction. Another reduction come favour Ikputu, Umule, and Umuode. But Umuezeukwu no benefit anything.

Ubani talk say:

“When dem first announce the project, the land na 1,850 hectares. Dem reduce am to 1,550 hectares, remove Agburuike and Umuogu.

“Later, dem come reduce again—Ikputu waka comot totally, Umule and Umuode see like 60% reduction. Ubaha sef get 30%. But Umuezeukwu, dem just ignore us.

“We dey beg the government say make dem gimme at least 500 meters space from our houses before the airport project go continue.”

 

Di President General of the community, Mr. Ebere Adieze, also talk say plenty of dia farmlands and houses don fall inside the airport land. He deny say he meet government to approve anything, and say wetin di people dey ask no be money, but space to survive and protect dia future.

 

Another leader, Chidiadi Ehilegbu, talk say the new road wey government wan build go scatter dem more. He talk say the community dey support development, but make government still reduce the land more and come talk with dem properly.

 

But as per News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr. Okor Aji, wey be Special Adviser to the Governor on Land Matters, don talk say government don already reduce the airport land from 1,800 to just over 1,000 hectares.

 

He talk say the airport na Federal Government project and say dem collect the land under Land Use Act.

 

But Umuezeukwu people still dey hold ground say dem never see that 500-meter space wey dem dey beg for. Dem dey call on Governor Alex Otti directly make he visit dem, because dem believe say some of his aides fit no dey tell am the full truth.

Report say for July 2024, Abia State Government partner with Federal Government to build airport.

Federal Government first talk say na just airstrip dem wan build, but Abia State say dem go turn am to full airport to help connect the region better and boost economy.

Access Bank don show interest to support the project. Construction officially start for December 2024.