Abia Airport: Adhere to High Court Order Staying Further Action on Nsulu Land, Group to Otti

Nsulu Stakeholders Forum (NSF) has enjoined Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, to obey an order of the state High Court sitting in Okpuala Ngwa, which ordered the state government to stay further action on the seized 1,350 hectares of land belonging to some Nsulu communities in Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area of the state for the proposed Abia airport project.

The Nsulu communities include; Ikputu, Umuikeocha Umuode, Umuezeukwu, Umuogu, Uwaomaikoo Umuosu, Umuata Umuosu, Umule Umuosu, Okpulorukwu Umuosu, Umuogele Umuosu, Umuodeche, Ubaha, Umuala, Umuezenta Nbawsi, Mbubo and Umuomainta Nbawsi.

NSF in a release by its Convener, Mazi Chigoram, said that the trial judge in the matter, Justice Enyinnaya Okezie, had on December 20, 2024, made the order, following a suit filed by representatives of the communities.

The communities stated that much of the lands which belonged to their people, were voluntarily given up by them, wherein C of O was issued by the Abia State Government and approval issued from the office of the Ministry of Aviation for the building of the Abia Airstrip.

They stated that the vast area of land is still acquired, and largely uninhabited, and if the governor wants to build an International Airport, this land is still available for use by the governor, and is most appropriate due to its zero per cent on the EIA.