The Governor of Abia State, His Excellency Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, has reassured that members of the Nsulu communities that donated their lands for the recently flagged off Abia Airport Project, Nsulu, in Isiala Ngwa North LGA would be duly compensated as his Administration had always done in other areas where people parted with their lands for government projects.
Governor Otti gave the reassurance on Friday, 20th December, during a friendly discussion with the family of late Elderstatesman, Elder Emmanuel Adaelu, when he, alongside his wife, Her Excellency, Mrs. Priscilla Chidimma Otti, paid the late Elder Adaelu’s family a condolence visit.
One identifiable mark and record of Governor Otti led Administration is that it does not forcefully take people’s land for any project without engaging the land owners first in discussions to work out compensation and earmarking funds for such before embarking on the intended project.
Despite the information in the public domain about the 36 months targeted completion of the Nsulu Airport Project, Governor Otti, who is meticulously in a hurry to spread development and democratic dividends across the State, was already working towards a 24-month completion deadline.
Governor Otti said that he was already engaging with notable Airlines in the country for immediate use of the Abia Airport once completed. He further disclosed that Ururuka Road from Umuahia traversing Nsulu to Aba would be dualized for 15 minutes of easy access to and out of the Airport from Aba and Umuahia.
The Governor said that the initial site earmarked for an Airport for the State by the administration of a former Governor of the State, Chief T.A Orji was no longer feasible for an Airport as the place has become a built-up area. Moreso, compensation was not paid to the land owners by past administrations that earmarked the area for an Airport.
Governor Otti also re-echoed his administration’s mantra that so long as you “live, work and pay your tax in Abia, you are from Abia.” He reaffirmed his commitment to building an Abia where people from all works of life will come to live and do their businesses.
Governor Otti who spent close to 2 hours with the Adaelus in friendly and convivial discussions bordering on governance and other issues thanked God for the life and times of Elder Emmanuel Adaelu and for a successful burial. He prayed for his soul to rest in peace.
The Abia State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu encouraged the children of Late Elder Adaelu to build on and sustain the good legacies of their father. He said Elder Adaelu loved his people and wanted the best for the State, saying that it was quite unfortunate that he passed on when the good things he desired for the State had started manifesting across the State, particularly in Ngwaland under the people-centered good governance model of Governor Alex Otti, OFR.
The surviving first son of Elder Adaelu, Engr. Solomon Adaelu, a former member of the House of Representatives, profoundly expressed the family’s gratitude to the Governor for not just paying them a visit but coming with his wife, the First Lady of the State. He said that he has been a close associate of Governor Otti even though a lot of people don’t know.
The Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba Ph.D, the Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Sir Nwaobilor Nwadimma Ananaba were also in the Governor’s entourage during the visit.
Ctz. UKOHA NJOKU UKOHA
Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Governor of Abia State.
20-12-2024.
