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The disagreement between the Abia State Government and the Umunna Nsulu Communities, in Isiala Ngwa North LGA of the State over the proposed siting of the Abia Airport has continued to linger, thus raising further questions as to why it is difficult for both parties to reach a compromise.
On Monday December 9, 2024, the controversy that has shrouded the siting of the proposed Airport in Nsulu, took another dimension as Women from all the eight communities in Nsulu where the proposed Abia Airport is to be sited, took their protest to Umuomainta, Nbawsi in Isialangwa North LGA of Abia State.
The protest followed a scheduled meeting between a team representing Abia State Government led by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba and representatives of the eight communities who have donated lands for the proposed Airport.
Recall that the proposed Airport to be sited in Nsulu Community, has generated controversy with people of these communities insisting that they would not give further lands to the Government as the communities are agrarian.
But on Monday, while the men in these communities were waiting for the team from the Abia State government, the women in their large numbers with green leaves and placards, stormed the Women Development Hall, Umuomainta to vent their anger while also maintaining their stand of not wanting the Airport.
Venting their disapproval on Monday, the women with placards such as, “The Women of Umuala Nsulu are asking the government of Abia State to leave their Farmland Alone”, vehemently showed their disapproval for the Airport project, stating that hunger will kill them if they allow the State Government go ahead with the extension.
Some angry women of these communities who spoke to newsmen, said they need schools, good roads and better welfare for their children, maintaining that the Airport project will not place food on their tables. They unequivocally stressed that initial lands have been earmarked for the project, advising the Abia State Government to make use of the one allocated for the project and leave their farmlands.
They reiterated that the lands taken from them is what they use to train their children, just as they stated that they do not need compensation as it will not take care of their needs forever. They also accused the Security Operatives who came with Chief of Staff to the Governor of Abia State, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, of preventing them from telling the Chief of Staff to leave their lands with claim that he was having a meeting with the Traditional Ruler, Eze S.I Ebere.
Other indigenes of Umuomainta Nbawsi, mostly students, did not hide their strong opposition for the Airport project, emphasizing that they have Grammar School Nbawsi, Nsulu Games Village, begging for repairs, urging the state government to fix these dilapidated structures and jettison the Airport project.
One of them who pleaded anonymity, said the people domiciled in Umuomainta Nbawsi, are predominantly farmers who cannot afford N350,000 to board a plane, pointing out that they need employment opportunities, good living condition among others.
She stated that the communities feel threatened by the Government, telling them that she will not fix their roads if they do not allow them construct the Airport in Umunna Nsulu.
Also speaking, another indigene of Umuomainta Nbawsi, Ike Nwoko Nwogwugwu, stated that he is not against the siting of an Airport in the area but wondered what has happened to the former lands at Nsulu, Ikputu, Umuode, Ikwuano donated for the project.
He said the communities are already feeling frightened by incessant talks about the Airport, adding that as agrarian communities, they rely heavily on farm produce, wondering what becomes of their future and that of their children.
Nwogwugwu alleged that there is no sincerity in the quest for lands to build Airport just as he alleged that they are looking for lands to share among themselves, informing that those having secret meetings with the representative of Government, do not have piece of lands in those areas.
Southeastposts, made efforts to get the reaction of the government on the matter but all proved abortive as the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba was having meeting with the Traditional Ruler of Umuomainta Nbawsi, Eze S.I Ebere as at the time of filing the report.
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