CRANEBURG Construction Company, the consultants for the Abia airport project, has assured that skilled and unskilled workers from the host community, Nsulu in Isialangwa North Local Government Area, will be engaged in the construction of the airport.
The company’s manager, Seba El-Nemer, gave this assurance in Umuahia on Monday after the commencement of road clearing leading to the airport’s runway. He stated that CRANEBURG would employ workers from the host community to ensure inclusivity in the project’s execution.
El-Nemer also expressed gratitude to Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, and the Nsulu community for their support in commencing work on the access roads and fencing of the airport site.
During a site visit on Friday, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Calab Ajagba, reiterated the government’s commitment to the project in collaboration with the Federal Government. He noted that the host community members are supportive of the initiative, contrary to claims that they were against it.
Ajagba urged the contractors to work closely with the locals and confirmed that the government had begun paying compensation to landowners. He emphasized that transparency remains a key principle in Governor Otti’s administration.
The Special Assistant to the Governor on Land and Housing, who also serves as the Project Coordinator for the Abia Airport, disclosed that the airport development process had advanced significantly. He mentioned that an access road of about 853 kilometers from the main road was being cleared to facilitate soil testing and other necessary investigations at the runway site.
Meanwhile, the leader of the Government Land Owners Forum for the project, Rt. Hon. Uzor Azubuike, commended Governor Otti for reducing the land allocated for the project from the initial 1,800 hectares to 1,000 hectares, addressing concerns from the community. A landowner, Barr. Andrew Obinna Ijenri, also appreciated the government’s sincerity in involving the people in decision-making.
Additionally, several community members, including Nsulu Youth President Prince Chisom Nwaogbe, Umuala Youth President Ifeanyi Nwachukwu, Mrs. Bridget Ijenri, Mrs. Gift Umeh, and Chairman of the Community Relations Committee for the project, Rev. Isreal Ukoma, expressed their excitement that the airport project is finally becoming a reality.
