In a bid to remove every impediment to the smooth take of the Abia Airport, project, a Joint Enlarged Government /Nsulu Airport Land owners Technical Committee has been inaugurated with the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba and Former Member of House of Representatives, Chief Uzo Azubuike as leaders.
Other members are, The member representing Isiala Ngwa North and South at the House of Representatives, Chief Ginger Onwusibe, Member representing Isiala Ngwa North State Constituency, Chief Collins Iheonunekwu, Mayor, Isiala Ngwa North Ambassador Innocent Uruakpa, Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Mr. Chaka Chukwumerije, that of Transport, Dr Chimezie Ukaegbu, his Arts, Culture and Creative Economy counterpart, Mr. Matthew Ekwiribe.
The rest are, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Lands and Housing, Pastor Aji Okorougo and State Director of Lands, Mr.Uduma Mong, All members of Technical Committee of Land owners Forum for Abia Airport Nsulu, Community/Village Heads, Councillors , Traditional rulers of host Communities and one Compound representative.
Abia Government and Nsulu Land owners in a communique endorsed by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, the Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Mr Chaka Chukwumerije, Chief Uzo Azubuike, Mr Fidel Ibeabuchi among others, at the end of an enlarged meeting held at Banquet Hall, Government House Umuahia, agreed that a Memorandum of Understanding would be drafted to guide all parties.
Both parties resolved to set any differences aside and work towards addressing concerns that might arise in the course of execution of the project.
On its part, Abia State Government pledged transparency in their dealings with the Land owners, promising to pay full compensation and involve them in the development process.
The Land owners, on their own commended President Bola Tinubu for approving an Airstrip for the State and Governor Alex Otti for upgrading it to an Airport and appealed to the State Government to allow them continue to farm on the acquired land until the commencement of the project.
Speaking with Hanto Daily News on the agreement reached, the member representing Isiala-Ngwa North Local Government state Constituency, Chief Collins Iheonunekwu thanked the State Government for its determination to ensure the elimination of all forms of misgivings on the side of the Land Owners and called for the strict implementation of the MOU.
Chief Iheonunekwu who described his Constituents as peace loving and development oriented, commended them for showing their usual hospitality and assured that he would work towards protecting their interest.
The Legislator known by his Constituents as Ochake expressed confidence that the new step will eliminate all forms of bottlenecks and hitches militating against the commencement of the project and thanked God for the new conviviality.
He appreciated the Bola Ahmed Tinubu led Federal Government for remembering the state and accepting to invest in his Constituency and pledged the support of the people.
