Abia Government Addresses Landowners’ Compensation Concerns in Nsulu Airport Project

The Abia State Government has responded to protests by landowners in Nsulu, Isiala Ngwa North LGA, over alleged delays in compensation for lands acquired for the state’s airport project.

Last Tuesday, February 17, 2026, villagers threatened to reclaim parts of the 1,025 hectares of land earmarked for the airport if compensation was not paid in full. In response, the government announced that payments to landowners whose plots are outside the airport runway began on February 23, 2026.

Speaking on behalf of the state, Commissioner for Lands, Chaka Chukwumerije, said that farmers and community members whose lands fall on the airport runway had already received full compensation. He listed the villages involved as Umuala, Umuomainta, Umuezeukwu, Umuode, Umuosu, and Ubaha.

Chukwumerije noted that a town hall meeting held with the affected communities on February 18, 2026, clarified the final compensation plans. Villagers whose lands are outside the runway were given the opportunity to review the published list of beneficiaries and submit claims.

The commissioner reassured landowners that all compensation would be paid in full and warned that any corrupt practices involving government staff or community members would be dealt with according to the law. He also urged claimants to register their names with the Ministry of Lands to ensure proper payment.