By Lukman Olabiyi
The Nsulu Stakeholders Forum (NSF) has urged the Federal Government to first conduct a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) before proceeding with the proposed Abia Airport in Nsulu, Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area, Abia State.
In a statement, yesterday, the forum expressed its support for the project,but raised concerns about its location in densely populated communities in Nsulu, fearing it could pose significant risks to the lives of current and future residents.
NSF also endorsed a petition by Nsulu communities, through their legal representative, Mr. Sylvester Okonkwo, to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace, the Inspector General of Police, the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), and the National Security Adviser (NSA).
The petition accused the Abia State Government of attempting to seize land from the Nsulu communities for the airport project.
The affected communities include: Ikputu, Umuikeocha Umuode, Umuezeukwu, Umuogu, Uwaoma/Ikoo Umuosu, Umuata Umuosu, Umule Umuosu, Okpulorukwu Umuosu, Umuodeche, Ubaha, Umuala, Umuezenta Nbawsi, Mbubo, and Umuomainta Nbawsi, who collectively own the land being targeted for the project.
NSF statement emphasized that while they do not oppose the establishment of another airport in Igbo land, the airport must not come at the expense of the well-being of the Nsulu people.
The proposed site is located close to many densely populated communities, with the airport just meters away from villagers’ homes. Given the scale of such a project, the forum insisted that a thorough EIA must be conducted to assess the impact on local residents.
The NSF also expressed concern that the proposed siting of the airport in Nsulu may be a deliberate attempt to seize land from the community, as they believe that the area was previously designated for the airport under former Governor Theodore Orji.
Although the current Governor, Alex Otti, acknowledged that the land secured under Orji’s administration was no longer suitable, the forum noted that the governor’s decision to search for a new location, particularly in densely populated Nsulu, seemed misguided.
The NSF pointed out that this would be the first time in Nigeria’s history that an airport would be proposed for such a densely populated area, where communities are just meters away from the airport.
They urged President Bola Tinubu, through the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace, Mr. Festus Kayemo,SAN, to ensure that an EIA is conducted before any further steps are taken regarding the Nsulu site.
The forum also reminded the Federal Government of its agricultural policies, emphasizing that denying Nsulu people access to arable land for farming contradicts the government’s efforts to promote food sufficiency.
NSF stressed that the airport should be located in a spacious area, not one that threatens the livelihoods of the local population.
While the stakeholders also appreciated the consideration of Nsulu for a federal project, they reiterated that it should not come at the cost of displacing the people from their homes and farms.
The forum called on Governor Otti to revisit the land secured by former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu in 2015 and 2022, rather than displacing the Nsulu communities for a new site.