Flight operations at Port Harcourt International Airport came to a halt as a group of women from the Ipo community in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State staged a protest, leading to the grounding of all flights.
Clad in black attire, the demonstrators obstructed the entrance gate of the airport roundabout, wielding placards bearing a variety of inscriptions, including: ‘What is our offence?’ ‘Over Seven Years of No NEPA Light,’ ‘No single access to mobile network,’ ‘No good access roads within Ipo community,’ among others.
On March 27, 2024, irate women blockaded the Port Harcourt airport, causing disruptions to flight operations for approximately two to three hours.
A source inside the airport said that, “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.”
Amid the clamour and chaos, Sergeant Awuse, the Chairman of the Rivers State Council of traditional rulers, stepped forward to address the women, assuring them of his personal commitment to address the concerns of their community. He pledged to visit with the airport management team to facilitate improvements and development initiatives.
The protest caused traffic congestion in the Rivers State capital.
Additionally, he urged the airport manager to assemble a team comprising members of the airport management to accompany him to the community on Friday.
Following the discussion, the protesting women relented and reopened the airport gates.
