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The Abia State Government has issued a firm response to recent allegations of false representation and exploitation in the ongoing compensation process for landowners affected by the acquisition of land for the Abia Airport project.
Recall that a legal practitioner and an indigene of Nsulu, in Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area of Abia state, Bar. Chinedu Adikwu had alleged that the Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Chaka Chukwumerije employed the services of unsolicited and strange Estate Valuers and willfully creating, selecting and imposing certain named persons and corporate entities.
According to Adikwu, some persons and entities such as Nnanji O.AA. Nnaji, Osama Associates, Welly and Associates, Rawlings Ehumadu, Ken Ahuruonye, Ogechi Associates among others were used to coerce the Abia Airport land owners into donating their powers, rights and privileges in relation to compensation due them arising from the state’s acquisition of their lands for purposes of the airport project and a payment of 10% on each plot of land.
He explained that those firms played the roles of middle men to receive funds (compensation) from the State government on the land owners behalf whereas there was no need for that.
But in a statement released by the Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Chaka Chukwumerije, on Saturday captioned, “FALSE CLAIMS ON IRREGULAR COMPENSATION PAYMENTS FOR ABIA AIRPORT LAND ACQUISITION”, and made available to newsmen by Mrs Josephine Ogwo, the Public Relations Officer, the government categorically described the claims as “false and misleading.”
The Commissioner clarified that the Ministry of Lands and Housing neither appoints attorneys for claimants nor compels them to engage any particular Estate Valuer as a representative. He reiterated that it remains the exclusive right and constitutional prerogative of each claimant to determine whether or not to be represented by an attorney.
On the matter of compensation, the Commissioner emphasized that the Ministry pays 100% of the compensation due directly to the claimant, except where the claimant has voluntarily appointed an attorney. In such instances, the attorney’s fees are deducted strictly in accordance with the claimant’s contractual agreement with their attorney.
The statement said, “To further safeguard claimants’ rights, the Ministry follows a rigorous verification protocol, including the presentation of valid identification cards and continuous sensitization to ensure that claimants understand their right to choose an Estate Valuer to represent them —or to proceed without one. Importantly, as of the date of this release, no compensation payment has been made to any attorney, pending the conclusion of the Ministry’s double-verification exercise”.
The government has called on any individual or group with credible evidence of malpractice or deviation from this established procedure to come forward, assuring the public that such cases will be thoroughly investigated and addressed individually.
Mr. Chaka Chukwumerije urged the public to disregard any misrepresentations being circulated in the media and reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to transparency, accountability, and fairness in the administration of compensation to affected landowners.
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