10-Year Blackout: Protesting Communities Disrupt Flight Operations At Port Harcourt Airport
THE Port Harcourt International Airport host communities today stormed the facility in their numbers and barricaded its premises in protest against the alleged total blackout and pollution of their environment.
The protesters from Omagwa and Ipo communities in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State disrupted flight operations as they barricaded the entrance to the airport.
The action resulted in several passengers being stranded as movements of major flights were disrupted at the airport
Aside from flight disruption, the protest also resulted in traffic gridlock on roads around the airport.
The demonstrators, who gathered as early as 7 am on Wednesday, said that despite hosting the international airport and suffering from noise pollution regularly, they are not compensated and there are no excellent schools nearby.
One of the protesters, who gave his name as Oki, accused the airport authorities of neglect, “We in Omagwa and Ipo don’t have light (power supply) 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. ”
Meanwhile, a source inside the airport said, “While arrivals weren’t affected, flights couldn’t depart because the passengers were prevented from getting into the airport itself. The disruption lasted till about 8 am after which the gates were opened.”
Eighteen-Eleven Media
