The people of Omagwa and Ipo communities in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State have barricaded the entrance of the Port Harcourt International Airport while protesting the lack of power supply and other amenities.
The protest has disrupted flight operations particularly departures, for approximately two to three hours. The situation has caused a gridlock stretching from the Airport Road to adjoining communities.
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The protesters, who trooped out as early as 7am on Wednesday, lamented that despite hosting the international airport and suffering from noise pollution daily, they are not paid any form of compensation and there are no good schools in the area.
The protesters, wielding placards with inscriptions such as ‘What is our offence?’, ‘Over Seven Years of No NEPA Light,’ ‘No single access to mobile network,’ and ‘No good access roads within Ipo community,’ effectively blocked the Roundabout gate leading into the airport complex.
According to a source from within the airport, arivals were not affected, but departing passengers could not access the airport until the protest concluded around 8am.
One of the protesters, Oki, complained of their community not having light for oner 10 years despite hosting the international passport and bearing with the noise coming from there.
In his words, ““We in Omagwa and Ipo don’t have light for over 10 years. We want compensation for the noise pollution coming from the airport every day. We are tired. That is why we are here. ”
However, in response to the commotion, chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, Sergeant Awuse, engaged with the protesters, promising immediate attention to their grievances.
“I will personally accompany the airport management team to Ipo community to oversee the improvements and development efforts needed,” Awuse assured the protesting community members.
