
Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Business and economic activities in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital on Thursday were shut following the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protest across the country.
From Port Harcourt-Aba highway to Ikwerre Road, to Stadium Road, Airforce-Eliozu Road and East-West Road, small and big businesses were shut and the roads deserted as protesters defy last-minute push by the federal government to stop the demonstrations.
The usually bustling major roads in Port Harcourt with heavy vehicular traffic were empty and deserted as protesters take to the streets to express their grievances over hardship, hunger, foreign exchange rates and economic inflation.
Commerical vehicles operated at a very reduced capacity due to absence of commuters on the road, as most people stayed indoors due to the hitherto threats and efforts of the government to stop the nationwide protest.
Protesters who peacefully gathered at Aba Road by Pleasure Park, later marched on an empty Aba Road without the usual vehicular and human traffic, to the Government House along Azikiwe Road in the state capital.
The protesters, with banners and placards who terminated the protest in front of the Rivers State Government House, were received and addressed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who pledged to escallated their demands to the Presidency.

Speaking, Governor Fubara charged youths in the State embarking on the hunger and #endbadgovernance protest not to be violent in order not to allow enemies of Rivers State to hijack the peaceful protest.
Governor Fubara said though he is not against the protest but will not support any form of violence.
The governor commended the protesters for not being violent and asked them to continue to maintain peaceful disposition as they continue with the protest.
He reiterated that though there is hardship due to implementation of some economic policies, but with patience things will get better in the nearest future, pleading that they support the government policy.
“We feel your pain, the government will address them. Be peaceful, don’t create room for thugs to unleash mayhem. We’re putting policies in place to boost the state’s economy and address hunger.
“Like I said it is not easy but we know very soon everything will be well, starting from our own state. What we need is your support for the government and the policy.”
Governor Fubara noted that at the beginning of any policy it might be harsh but will end in improving the lives of the people and assured that his administration will ensure that life will be easy for them.