NIGERIA MASTERWEB DAILY NEWS

*Nigeria's FAAN Pays Compensation To Communities

(Intensifies Work On Perimeter Fence & Access Road )

By Lateef Lawal

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has paid the sum of N200 million as land compensation to the two communities bordering the Port Harcourt International Airport. The payment was made through Barrister Reginald Nnwoka, solicitor of Omagwa and Ipo communities, owners of the acquired land for the construction of Port Harcourt International Airport. The payment of compensation to the host communities’ solicitor was in conformity with the directive of the Rivers State Government, which advised FAAN to pay the compensation to the beneficiaries through their attorney. ( Continues below..... )

Photo Above: Port Harcourt International Airport, Nigeria

Barrister Nnwoka while acknowledging the receipt of the money said: “I hereby acknowledge receipt from FAAN the sum of N200m only as compensation in full and complete satisfaction and discharge of the claim made by the Omagwa/Ipo communities in respect of land situated at the site of the Port Harcourt International Airport Omagwa, which was acquired by the Government under a Public Notice of the Rivers State Government No 492 of 22nd November, 1973 and published in gazette No.49 volume 5 of same date acting under the Public Lands Acquisition Law CAP 105. I hereby indemnify the Government/FAAN against all claims made by any person or persons whatsoever in respect of the said land or any part thereof.”

With the compensation, the Authority has won the full support and cooperation of the host communities and has intensified the construction of the expanded metal perimeter fence and asphalt road at the Airport. The amount covers the survey of the entire land area of the airport, while the solicitor is expected to distribute the money to all the beneficiaries according to the number of acres of land each possesses.

A total number of 29 persons and communities from Omagwa community are to benefit from the compensation while 16 groups of people from Ipo community are also to benefit. The Managing Director of FAAN, Mr. Richard Aisuebeogun, on Tuesday in Lagos expressed satisfaction over the development, which he said would enhance safe and secured flight operations while further creating an enabling environment for more investments at the airport. Aisuebeogun expressed gratitude to the Rivers State Government and the host communities, promising that FAAN would do everything within its powers to meaningfully upgrade the airport.

Lateef Lawal ( NigerianAviationNews )