Governor Alex Otti has revealed that the Abia State government has paid compensation to over 4,000 landowners affected by the proposed airport project at Nsulu. Speaking in Umuahia, he said about 6,000 claimants are still awaiting payment out of nearly 10,000 identified beneficiaries.

Otti explained that the current payments focus on land along the proposed runway. He dismissed negative reports about the exercise, noting that payments resumed after recent meetings with stakeholders. He also directed that the names of claimants be published to ensure transparency.

The governor assured residents that the process is being handled step by step and warned against sharp practices. He maintained that the government is ready to address any irregularities discovered during the compensation process.

Otti also announced that Abia’s electric bus service will begin subsidised operations from March 1, with digital card payments only. He further clarified that the state holds 80 percent shares in the Radisson Blu Enyimba Hotel project, while private investors own the remaining stake.