The Abia State Government has launched consultations and stakeholder discussions over a proposed 20,000-hectare oil palm investment project planned by Presco Plc in communities across the Abia North Senatorial District.
According to the state Ministry of Lands, the initiative is part of the government’s wider strategy to expand agriculture and industrial activities, create employment opportunities, improve rural infrastructure, and drive sustainable economic growth within the state.
The development was announced in a statement jointly issued by the ministry’s Public Relations Officers, Ifeyinwa Kanu and Okezie Uwakwe.
During a strategic meeting involving officials of Presco Plc, representatives from the Ministries of Lands and Agriculture, the Public-Private Partnership Office, and chairmen of local government councils in Abia North, participants discussed the project framework, land administration procedures, and methods for engaging host communities before implementation begins.
Presco Plc, an established oil palm company that has operated in Nigeria since 1991, unveiled plans for phased plantation and processing facilities within selected areas of Bende, Ohafia, Arochukwu, and Isuikwuato local government areas.
The company disclosed that the investment could generate roughly 5,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities while also attracting investments in agro-processing, refining, logistics, and related industries.
Speaking at the engagement, the Commissioner for Lands, Chaka Chukwumerije, reiterated Governor Alex Otti’s commitment to promoting responsible and inclusive investments across all three senatorial zones of the state.
He assured stakeholders that the proposed development would strictly comply with legal requirements, environmental regulations, and internationally accepted sustainability standards.
The commissioner outlined several principles expected to guide the implementation process, including detailed Environmental and Social Impact Assessments, consultations based on Free Prior and Informed Consent, participatory land surveys and boundary verification, transparent compensation systems, community benefit arrangements, and legal protections for host communities.
Government officials also reaffirmed their dedication to transparency, environmental responsibility, and inclusive development through sustained consultations with all affected parties.
During the meeting, some community representatives raised concerns about unresolved land acquisition disputes linked to previous projects in the area.
Responding to those concerns, state officials emphasized the importance of legally binding agreements, clearly structured compensation plans, protective legal measures, and land-reversion clauses in cases where projects are abandoned or fail to commence within agreed timelines.
Participants further examined possible partnership arrangements, including public-private collaboration models, community participation structures, and long-term benefit-sharing systems aimed at ensuring lasting economic value for host communities.
As part of the next phase, local government authorities and traditional leaders are expected to organize preliminary town hall meetings and sensitization consultations ahead of technical field evaluations.
The engagement was attended by the mayors of Bende, Isuikwuato, Arochukwu, and Ohafia local government areas, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture, officials from the Ministries of Agriculture and Lands, representatives of the Public-Private Partnership Office, and delegates from Presco Plc.
Former Ohafia council chairman, David Ogba, popularly known as Bourdex, was also present alongside other stakeholders.
The consultation concluded with a joint commitment by government representatives and stakeholders to deepen engagements with local communities and councils to ensure the successful execution of the proposed oil palm project in Abia North.