The Abia State Government has commenced formal stakeholder engagement and consultations on a proposed 20,000-hectare oil palm development project by Presco Plc across selected communities in Abia North Senatorial Zone.
The initiative, according to the Abia State Ministry of Lands, forms part of the state government’s broader agricultural and industrial expansion agenda aimed at boosting employment, agro-industrial growth, rural infrastructure, and sustainable economic development across the state.
This was disclosed in a press release jointly signed by the Public Relations Officers of the Ministry, Ifeyinwa Kanu and Okezie Uwakwe.
At a high-level engagement meeting involving representatives of Presco Plc, the Ministries of Lands and Agriculture, the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Office, and the Mayors of local government areas in Abia North, extensive deliberations were held on the project scope, community engagement framework, and land administration procedures required before implementation.
Presco Plc, a certified oil palm company operating in Nigeria since 1991, presented its proposal for phased plantation and processing developments across identified clusters in Bende, Ohafia, Arochukwu, and Isuikwuato Local Government Areas.
According to the company, the proposed project is expected to create about 5,000 direct and indirect jobs while attracting investments in refining, logistics, agro-processing, and other related sectors.
Speaking during the meeting, the Commissioner for Lands, Hon. Chaka Chukwumerije, reaffirmed the commitment of Governor Alex Otti to opening up strategic development opportunities across the three senatorial zones of Abia State through responsible and inclusive investments.
He emphasized that the proposed project would comply strictly with all applicable laws, environmental standards, and international sustainability requirements.
The Commissioner highlighted key implementation principles to include comprehensive Environmental and Social Impact Assessments, Free Prior and Informed Consent engagements with affected communities, participatory boundary verification and land surveys, transparent compensation structures, community benefit frameworks, and legal safeguards to protect host communities.
The meeting also reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to transparency, environmental sustainability, and inclusive development through continuous consultations with affected stakeholders.
Concerns raised by community representatives over previous unresolved land acquisition experiences were formally acknowledged during the discussions.
In response, government officials stressed the need for enforceable agreements, clearly defined compensation frameworks, legal protections, and land-reversion provisions in situations where proposed projects fail to materialize within agreed timelines.
Discussions further explored possible partnership models, including public-private partnerships, community participation arrangements, and long-term benefit-sharing structures aimed at ensuring sustainable value creation for host communities.
As part of immediate next steps, local government authorities and community leaders are expected to coordinate preliminary town hall meetings and mobilization consultations ahead of technical field assessments.
The meeting was attended by the Mayors of Bende, Isuikwuato, Arochukwu, and Ohafia Local Government Areas, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture, representatives of the Ministries of Agriculture and Lands, officials of the Public-Private Partnership Office, and representatives of Presco Plc.
Former Mayor of Ohafia Local Government Area, Chief David Ogba, popularly known as Bourdex, alongside other stakeholders, also attended the engagement.
The consultation ended with a collective resolve by government officials and stakeholders to intensify engagements with host communities and local governments toward ensuring the successful implementation of the proposed oil palm development project in Abia North.
