The host communities for the proposed Abia Airport in Nsulu, Isiala-Ngwa North Local Government Area of Abia State have written to Abia State Governor Alex Otti raising strong objections to the vast size of land to be acquired for the project.


Among various issues the communities stated are yet to be resolved include the  the proposed acquisition of 1,025 hectares of land for the airport which the argued would  have catastrophic consequences for our communities. 


"The loss of this vast tract of land would lead to insufficient land for farming, housing, and essential needs, ultimately resulting in hunger, starvation, and potential extinction.  Furthermore, the proposed land acquisition would exacerbate existing socio-economic challenges, increasing poverty, unemployment, and insecurity. Our communities would be left with reduced space for new homes, burial grounds, and community development, threatening our very way of life", they stated in the letter 


In a comparative analysis of similar airport projects in nearby States such as Owerri, Ebonyi, and Enugu, the communities argued that only  between 250-360 hectares were used.


Going further they maintained that even an international airport handling 48 million passengers annually like the  Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MIAA) in Manila, Philippines was built on 440 hectares with 4 terminal buildings, 7 hangar bays and a runway of 6km!


The communities further reaffirmed their opposition to  the government's plan to site a hotel, housing estate, and school on the  land for commercial purposes. 


" We do not believe that these projects fall under the much touted "overriding public interest" that will necessitate a forceful acquisition of our land. We have offered suggestions to your government on alternative viable options", the letter stated 


Excerpts from the letter reads as follows:

OPEN LETTER TO ALEX OTTI ( OFR) GOVERNOR OF ABIA STATE. 


18 March 2025

His Excellency, Governor Alex Otti

The Executive Governor of Abia State

Government House

Umuahia


We, the host communities to the proposed Abia Airport in Nsulu, Isiala-Ngwa North Local Government Area of Abia State, are writing to express our concerns regarding the land acquisition plan for the airport project.


_Land Mass: We strongly object to the proposed acquisition of 1,025 hectares of land for the Abia Airport, Nsulu, as it would have catastrophic consequences for our communities. The loss of this vast tract of land would lead to insufficient land for farming, housing, and essential needs, ultimately resulting in hunger, starvation, and potential extinction.  Furthermore, the proposed land acquisition would exacerbate existing socio-economic challenges, increasing poverty, unemployment, and insecurity. Our communities would be left with reduced space for new homes, burial grounds, and community development, threatening our very way of life.  


In comparison, nearby airports such as Owerri, Ebonyi, and Enugu occupy between 250-360 hectares. In similar light, Abia State can learn from the design of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MIAA) in Manila, Philippines, for example, which handles 48 million passengers annually and was built on 440 hectares. It has 4 terminal buildings, 7 hangar bays and a runway of 6km!


Considering these concerns, we propose negotiating a land size of not more than 400 hectares for the airport. This compromise would balance the needs of the airport with the livelihoods and well-being of our communities


_Transparency and Map Coordinates:  We respectfully request that the government provide us with the claim survey of the entire proposed acquisition and the coordinates and their control points. This information is crucial for us to understand the land requirements of the proposed airport design and its potential impact on our individual communities. The lack of transparency and the government's forceful attempts to acquire our land have created distrust and raised concerns about the government's intentions from the outset. We believe that providing this information is essential for building trust and ensuring that our communities are informed and engaged throughout the process.


_Representation:  We take great exception to the government's decision to appoint representatives for our host communities without our consent. This action disregards our autonomy and agency, and we strongly believe that we should be allowed to choose our own representatives to ensure our voices are heard. The current arrangement, where landowners are appointed to negotiate with themselves, is not only incongruous but also undermines the legitimacy of the process. Furthermore, we are dismayed that some village representatives were unknown to the landowners they claimed to represent, and the government's inaction when brought to their attention only exacerbates our concerns about accountability and transparency. We urge the government to recognize our right to self-representation and decision-making, and to engage in meaningful dialogue with us to address our concerns.  


_Other Projects: We restate that we do not have a problem with the airport project itself, but we oppose the government's plan to site a hotel, housing estate, and school on our land for commercial purposes.  We do not believe that these projects fall under the much touted "overriding public interest" that will necessitate a forceful acquisition of our land. We have offered suggestions to your government on alternative viable options. 


_Court Order:  We demand that the government respect the court order to stay further action on the airport project pending the hearing and determination of our suit. The government's continued actions on the project, despite the court order, undermine the rule of law and create a perception that the State is above the law. We urge the government to uphold the principles of law and order, and to adhere to the court's directives, just as it expects its citizens to do. 


We hope that our concerns will be taken seriously, and we look forward to engaging in constructive dialogue with your administration to find mutually beneficial solutions.


Sincerely,

For and on behalf of Nsulu Airport landowners and host communities


eSigned:

1. Barr. Osita Ogbulamiri (Umuezenta) 

Okezie Miller Nwosu (Okpuala Mbara Ogbom)

2. High Chief Vincent Barrah (Okpuloukwu)

3. Engr. Amaechi Nwogbe  (Umuwaoma-Umuiko)

4. Dr. Emmanuel Dawari  (Umuwaoma-Umuiko)

5. David Chinweuba (Umuwaoma-Umuiko)

6. Israel Ogbonna (Umuata)

7. Innocent Anaba (Umuogele)

8. Dr. Max Nduaguibe (Umuezenta)

9. Sir Chinanu Ogbulamiri (Umuezenta)

Nnamdi Ubani (Umuezeukwu)

10. Igwe Nonso Ogbulamiri (Umuezenta) 

11. Barr. Anyanwu Honesty (Umuezeukwu) 

12. Barr. Whyte Ekpemandu (Umuezeukwu)

13. Barr. Chijioke Ikpo (Umuomainta)

14. Dr. Chinecherem Umezurike (Umuezenta) 

14. Mr. Ike Nwoko Nwaogwugwu (Umulenwa, Umuomainta)

15. Mr. John Ogbulamiri (Umuomainta)

16. High Chief Godwin Nwoha (Umulenwa, Umuomainta)

17. Mr. Howell Ubani (Umuezeukwu)

28. Mr. Ezibe Ogubunka (Mbara Ogbom, Okpuala)

19. Mr Ndubuisi Ochulo (Umunkolo, Umuomainta)

20.Chigozie Ezekiel,  Umule, Umuosu

21. Lucky Ogbonna Nwankwere, Umuogele, Umuosu.