Abia Airport: Government Confirms Compensation for Runway Landowners, Explains Process
The Abia State Government has reaffirmed that it has paid compensation to landowners whose properties fall within the runway area of the ongoing Abia Airport project at Nsulu, Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area.
Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, disclosed this on Friday during a fact-finding visit to the project site. He was accompanied by the Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Mr. Chaka Chukwumerije, and other top government officials.
Pastor Ajagba explained that the visit followed complaints from some community members who alleged that they had not received compensation.
“We discovered that it is not that they have not been paid, but some have challenges with their bank accounts or have not completed the mandatory indemnity certificate required for payment. So far, about 3,500 people have been paid within the runway area, and the process is ongoing,” he said.
He also addressed concerns about clearing of non-enumerated areas, noting that it was a human error by a tractor operator which has since been corrected to the satisfaction of the host community.
While thanking Nsulu residents for their cooperation, Pastor Ajagba assured that government will honor all commitments.
“Everybody will get paid. For now, we are concentrating on the runway, but payments will also cover other areas already enumerated,” he added.
Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Mr. Chaka Chukwumerije, reiterated that government has compensated all verified landowners within the runway corridor.
“This is a responsive government with a human face. If anyone within the runway has not been paid, it is an exception, and we will address such cases individually. By the end of September 2025, compensation for land outside the runway, as captured in the final report, will also be paid,” he explained.
He urged any landowner who had completed the indemnity certificate process but was yet to receive payment to submit their details for verification.
Responding on behalf of the host community, Mr. Echezola Ukaumunna appreciated the government’s intervention, saying the visit had cleared misconceptions caused by poor communication.
Other landowners, including Onyenmaobi Nwairo, Isaac Frank, Chief Isaac Ndubuisi, and John Aliche, also expressed satisfaction with the clarifications and pledged not to obstruct the progress of the airport project.
Other members of the delegation included the Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Mr. Matthew Ekwuribe, and the Special Assistant to the Governor on Lands and Housing/Project Coordinator for Abia Airport, Pastor Okorougo Aji.
Divine Nwankwo
HOD (Information), Government House