The Abia State government says it did not rip off owners of acquired Abia Airport lands, insisting that the state engaged fairness and transparency in payment of compensation.
It also said the villagers were not compelled or coerced to make use of specific government appointed attorneys or non-indigenes.
Some indigenes of Nsulu community, the host town of the proposed Abia International Airport this week, spoke through a Lawyer, alleging that some land owners were ripped off by the state government during compensation.
They equally claimed that the Commissioner for lands and Housing, Chaka Chukwumerije and his officials asked the land owners to engage the services of specific and unverified attorneys if they want to receive their compensation, adding that they (villagers) incurred a lot of deductions in the process.
However, in a statement released by the Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Chaka Chukwumerije on Saturday, Abia State government described the allegations as “false and misleading.”
The commissioner clarified that the Ministry of Lands and Housing does not appoint attorneys for claimants nor coerce them into dealing with specific attorneys.
He emphasized that it is the sole prerogative and constitutional right of a claimant to decide whether or not to be represented by an attorney.
Regarding the payment of compensation, the commissioner stated that his ministry pays 100% of the compensation due to a claimant, except where the claimant presents an attorney as their representative.
The commissioner also noted that the ministry took precautions to safeguard the rights of claimants by paying them directly and verifying their identities through valid ID cards.
The government has called for evidence to support any allegations of deviations from its stated policy and practice, assuring that such evidence will be duly investigated.
