The Abia Airport project which the governor has proposed for Nsulu, a nearby community to Umuahia, the State Capital is a giant step in the right direction which promises to alter the economic fortunes of the State for good.
By Emeka Nwosu
It is interesting to note that the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti has continued with his impressive strides to reposition the State for greater economic development and prosperity of its people. The Abia Airport project which the governor has proposed for Nsulu, a nearby community to Umuahia, the State Capital is a giant step in the right direction which promises to alter the economic fortunes of the State for good. It is a game changer that would open up the State to the world. Indeed, the consummation of this airport project will bring glory to the land of Abia.
The choice of Nsulu in Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area (LGA) as the location of the airport is quite strategic and thoughtful. Nsulu is generously blessed by Providence with abundant flat lands that lie between Umuahia and Aba, the economic hub of the State and South East Nigeria. The location of the airport within that corridor is visionary and could only have taken a progressive and visionary thinker like Governor Otti to move in that direction.
The economic opportunities that would come with the airport, especially for the people and communities within and around Nsulu are enormous. Apart from opening up the area for unprecedented infrastructural development, the presence of the airport at Nsulu would come with lives-transforming opportunities for the people of Nsulu in particular, especially in the areas of employment, capital formation, business empowerment, tourist attractions and infrastructural development.
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It is therefore mind-boggling that some fringe elements within Nsulu community would oppose the siting of such a monumental project in their area, and accusing the governor of land grabbing. This is not only preposterous but totally despicable. People in other parts of Abia, and indeed elsewhere, pray for such a laudable development project to be sited in their locality, but here we have a group of people rejecting an initiative that is going to transform the fortunes of their community and breathe a dose of fresh air in the area. What an irony!
It is, however, gratifying to note that the governor has further engaged with all strata of leadership in Nsulu, leading to the amicable resolution of the matter. The Chief of Staff to the governor, Pastor Dr. Caleb Ajagba led the government team that interfaced with the leaders of the community. Dr. Ajagba reportedly stressed the importance of the project to the people of Nsulu and what they stood to gain from the siting of the project in the area.
According to the Chief of Staff, “the government had already engaged the traditional rulers in the clan but decided to further engage the people to ensure they understand its intentions”. Ajagba further explained that the government`s objective is to execute a development agenda that would benefit all without infringing on the community`s livelihood.
The government has also expressed its commitment to pay adequate compensation to individuals and communities affected by the airport project. This is reassuring and also consistent with the character of the Otti administration. For example, before the government embarked on the reconstruction and expansion of the Abia Tower-Ossah Road in Umuahia, it made sure that all the property owners who were affected by the constructions were duly compensated. That paved the way for the seamless execution of the work. This is exactly what the government has planned to do at Nsulu to ensure that the project does not suffer from any interruptions. The governor deserves accolades for ensuring that all stakeholders in the area are carried along.
The people of Nsulu should count themselves lucky that the governor is opening up a new economic corridor in that axis with the siting of major projects in the area. About two weeks ago, the governor flagged off of the reconstruction of the 11.45 Kilometer Ntigha-Mbawsi-Umuala Road located within the heart of Nsulu land. The road covers nine major communities, stretching from Umuomaiukwu, Umuezegu, Umunkpeyi, Umuominta, Mbawsi Town, Umuelemoha, Umulenwa, Umunkolo to Umuala.
Like I noted in a previous article: “Apart from opening up the economies of the various communities on that corridor, the reconstruction of the road would bring unprecedented economic opportunities to the people living in the area”. This place hosts the popular Nsulu Games village which Otti`s government is upgrading into a mega sports complex. The government is also setting up Nollywood Film Village within the same Nsulu clan. With the presence of the Abia Airport in the same flank, Nsulu can never be the same again. Its rural character would have been transformed dramatically into a major centre of economic activity in the State.
The combined presence of these key projects would help to transform Nsulu into a key tourism attraction. The new status of Nsulu would also open it up for investments, as investors both local and foreign will take advantage of these key government projects to bring in investments in the area. This will create a boom in employment opportunities for the idle teeming youths in Nsulu and, indeed, the rest of the State.
The development would consequently impact on the security of the State. When the youths are gainfully employed in all these projects springing up in the area, they would have little or no time to engage in criminality. And the State would be better for it.
The ensuing climate of security and peace would create the enabling environment for business and enterprise to thrive. For example, Abians in the Diaspora can feel encouraged to return home with investments that have great potentials of boosting the economic fortunes of the State. The Abia Airport project is the real icing on the cake of the Otti administration. On completion, the airport would stand out as the signature project of the administration. All Abians must, therefore, come on board with the Otti administration and give it the necessary encouragement and support to deliver on this path-breaking initiative.
Indeed, a new Abia is possible!
Emeka Nwosu, PhD, a Public Policy Analyst, writes from Umuahia.
Email: cdnwosu2@gmail.com