Protest partially grounds business activities in Rivers, C’River

The ongoing EndBadGovernance Protest has partially grounded commercial activities in some parts of Rivers and Cross River as banks and some business outfits did not open for business.

The survey around Port Harcourt city showed that banks and many business offices were closed during the morning hours.

Supreme News reports that vehicular movement in the city was skeletal as only few commercial vehicles were on the roads.

Motor parks located around the Waterline, Rumuola, and Mile One areas of the city were however opened, but travelers were not seen at the parks.

Supreme News further reports that although major entrances to public markets in Eliozu, Mile 3 and Rumuokoro axis were open, shop owners did not open for business.

While many residents stayed indoors, some people were seen standing in groups around the State Secretariat area.

The survey further showed that a few commercial vehicles were seen around Pleasure Park, along the Port Harcourt-Aba Expressway where the protesters gathered.

Mr Amsel George, one of the protesters, who spoke with the newsmen, said that they were protesting against the current socio-economic realities in the country.

George said that the high cost of food, petrol and electricity had made Nigerians to very live in hunger and lack.

He said that the protest aimed to make the government to evolve measures towards improving the economy and the standard of living in the country.

Meanwhile, the police command in Rivers has expressed its commitment to the peace and security of the state during the exercise.

The Spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, said in a statement that police personnel had been deployed to key locations in order to ensure public safety.

She said that there were possibilities that mischief-makers could exploit the situation to incite chaos and civic unrest.

Iringe-Koko said that the command was closely monitoring the protest, and expressed its preparedness to act professionally to maintain law and order.

“While we recognise the right of the citizens to peaceful assembly, we are aware that hoodlums may attempt to hijack the protest.

“Organisers and protesters are urged to conduct themselves in a manner that upholds public safety and respect for the rights of others,” she said.

Iringe-Koko said that the police would not tolerate acts of criminality, such as looting and harassment of innocent citizens during the demonstration.

“The command is collaborating with other sister security agencies and other stakeholders to prevent any breakdown of law and order before, during, and after the protests.

“We have implemented measures, including training, enhanced surveillance and increased patrols. We have deployed tactical units for effective crowd control, among others.

“We are committed to respecting the rights of peaceful protesters and urge organisers to ensure that the protest remains lawful and orderly,” she said.

In Cross River, although there is yet no sign of protest, commercial activities in Calabar is partially on standstill following the commencement of the protest.

The major roads in the city are calm and without vehicular movement, even as banks, markets and other business offices are closed.

Supreme News reports that some hospitals, health centres and medical laboratories in calabar metropolis were open for operation.

Miss Cynthia Atoe, a health worker, said that she stood at a bus stop for a long time but could not get a bus to take her to work.

‘”Although I finally saw a bus willing to take me halfway, it was a short trip of fear because we were constantly on the lookout for any strange activity on the road,” she said.

Mrs Maria Ejom, a resident, said that she was unable to recharge her phone because shops in her area were not open.

“I was so disappointed because the shops were all locked, and I needed to make an urgent call,” she said.

A mini bus driver, Mr Paul Okechukwu, who operates around the Watt Market route, said that he could not go out for business due to fear of being harassed.

“Although I have not seen anyone protesting, I am not comfortable going out to look for passengers. I still remember what happened during the EndSARS protest,” he said.

Supreme News report that police and other security agencies were seen at strategic positions around Calabar city, perhaps as part of efforts to prevent any breakdown of law and order during the protest.

Security presence were also seen around government institutions in the state, and areas such as Eleven Eleven Roundabout, Mary Slessor, Murtala Mohammed Highway, General Hospital, among others.

In Akwa Ibom, the capital city, Uyo is calm as residents and vehicles were seen skeletally going about their normal duties during the morning hours.

The correspondent who visited the Udo Udoma Cenotaph, the venue designated for the protest, reported that the area was deserted, and without human activities.

Security vehicles were seen at the Banking Layout, Udo Udoma Avenue, with heavy presence of security personnel at the entrance of the Central Bank of Nigeria office.

Commercial banks in the city did not open for businesses as their major entry points were under lock and keys.

Mr Gabriel Okon, a POS operator along Atan Etoi Road in Uyo, said that he was not in support of the protest because it would worsen the situation of things in the country.

“Protests have never been peaceful, before you know it, they will start looting shops belonging to the people they are protesting for.

“Let us manage ourselves, and look unto God because the government is not ready to listen to the plight of the masses. Let our leaders know that God rules in the affairs of men,” he said.

The story is not very different in Eket, as business outfits such as banks and petrol stations did not open for operations due to the nationwide protest.

The survey in Eket showed that although patronage was low, commercial motorcyclists and public markets were out for businesses.

Police vehicles were seen at strategic places in the town to avert any breakdown of law and order.