The nationwide protests against economic hardship did not affect commercial activities at the airport and the seaports yesterday.
But it took a toll on banks, malls and business premises in major cities were on holiday.
In Lagos, the complexes at Apapa Port and the Tin-Can Island Port were opened yesterday for economic and commercial activities.
When The Nation visited the ports, the terminals were in operations. Personnel of the Nigerian Customs Services (NSC) were at work.
One of the clearing agents, Desmond Solomon, confirmed to our correspondent that business activities were going on smoothly at the port.
Although, he acknowledged that not many traders were in the port, he affirmed that they haven’t recorded any glitch in service delivery so far.
Solomon said: “Activities are currently going on in the seaport and I can confirm to you that cargo delivery is also taking place. The truck you see coming out from the port has been released by Customs and the officers are also conducting examination on cargoes.
“We are moving out trucks and exiting the port because the port is in operation. If the terminal operators are not here, we cannot exit our cargo. You can testify yourself that everywhere is calm and peaceful.” he said.
A member of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Luqman Agbaje, said port workers had nothing to do with their operations.
who confirmed that the nation’s ports were not affected by the ongoing nationwide protest and that the union has directed its members not to join.
He said: “It is a protest organised by some politicians and individuals. We cannot because of that shutdown. The Ports are working. As I speak with you, commercial activities are going on. We have been directed that the Ports must not be shut.
“Since this is a protest, we believe the organisers should take the protest to the Government through the areas allocated to them and the port is not part of it.”
But the protest will affect NCS’ daily revenue collection and other operations because it was not a busy day at the Lagos ports.
Felix Ajibade, an importer, said many traders and port users wanted to first study the situation before going for business or coming to the port because of the security situation.
The Customs Area Controller (CAC) of Apapa Port Command, Babatunde Olomu, said the time has come when the confidence of port users should be regained through the continuous operations of the Command.
Olomu said Customs officers attached to the command at the port and all terminals under his watch were available to discharge their usual functions and support in facilitating all legitimate trade despite the protest.
When The Nation visited the Tin-Can Island port, most of their officers were around, while others were inside the terminals performing their core responsibility of trade facilitation and watching the security situation.
Billions lost to protest in Abuja banks, markets
In the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Lagos and other towns, operators shut their business premises within the Federal Housing Estate Lugbe, Gwarinpa and the Central Business District (CBD) against customers.
Fear of potential violence also forced many businesses to close shop. In Dutse and Nyanya, markets were completely deserted. Traders in Wuse Market opted to keep their shops closed despite being present.
“We can’t open our shops because of fear that the protest may turn violent,” said Livinus, a trader in Wuse Market. Another trader, Kelechi, expressed support for the protest but lamented the potential financial losses due to the closure.
Similar scenes were witnessed in Berger, where most shops were closed and only the NNPCL filling station was operational.
The protest, which is expected to continue in the coming days, has highlighted the growing discontent among Nigerians over the economic challenges facing the country. The loss suffered yesterday by businesses and the economy was estimated at billions, as banks insurance companies and others in key sectors closed their Lagos branches for the safety of staff and property.
On the popular Ajose Adeogun Street, Victoria Island, all the banks’ branches were not open for business.
Aside the presence of security agents, there were no staff on duty in many of the banks visited. The situation was not different in Ikoyi and Lekki axis.
Speaking on losses to business and economy, President, Bank Customers Association of Nigeria, Dr. Uju Ogubunka, said the losses incurred by the banks for not operating physical branches today were enormous.
He said: “The cost will be enormous given the kind of services. It would have been worse if they opened and unfortunate things like destruction of their branches and carting of cash happened. I think they are just being cautious.”
Ogubunka said the losses for the banks should be calculated based on the volume of loans they could have created, cash they could have received and transaction settlements they could have done and the applicable fees they could have earned.
He said beside banks, other key operators in the economy have also lost huge funds to the protest and suspension of business activities.
Speaking on the development, a Lagos-based financial analyst, Michael Nwadike, said the protest hit the economy at a time most of the businesses are adjusting to the impact of the naira devaluation.
He said the blockage of very important roads to major cities has negative impact on the economy, but the extent of the damage will run into billions of naira.
Nwadike said: “The other side is if the protests lead to a more positive response by government, and good governance is a major enabler of economic activities, if governance is moving in the right direction.
“The benefits or continued impact of the protests will depend on how the government handles its response.” At the Lekki toll gate, many security operatives stationed their vehicles and kept close watch on some protesters who demanded end to bad governance and accountability in public finance management.
Aviation sector not affected, says NCAA
The aviation industry was not affected by the protest as both local and international airlines operated flights into and out of airports.
The combined team of officials drawn from the aviation agencies, led by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) embarked on an on-the-spot assessment of activities at airports nationwide.
Confirming the development, a source close to the NCAA said: “Earlier today (yesterday), on behalf of my DG, NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo, I carried out an on-the-spot assessment of activities at the Abuja Airport, domestic and international, to provide information and comfort to passengers and relevant airport personnel.
“This was part of NCAA’s consumer protection protocols given the national protests which began today. Thankfully, activities at the terminals were peaceful. Security was top notch and passengers were well received and processed.
“Two domestic airlines did not operate due to alleged fears over the protests. Other scheduled flights operated. The joint team of NCAA, FAAN, NAMA and other security agency officials has done a great job of securing our airports which are critical national assets.”
Operations at Lagos airports were seamless, with heavy security presence at the various access points.
These include the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2) operated by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services, Domestic General Airport Terminal I operated by Faderal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA).
Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Ltd., the operator of MMA2, confirmed that there were no disruptions to operations at the terminal.
Head of Space a nd Premises, Acting Chief Operating Officer at Bi-Courtney, Mr. Kola Bamigboye, said flights were departing and arriving as scheduled and that cargo operations were proceeding smoothly.
He said: “There’s a heavy security presence in and around the airport for formal stop-and-search operations. Everything is going smoothly. There are no disruptions or challenges to our operations, and all our business areas are functioning well.
“The operations of the airlines are running smoothly. We’ve had flights operating this morning.”
Security agents take over Gwagwalada
To prevent protesters, major highways and streets in Gwagwalada Council Area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were yesterday taken over by security agents.
The youths and some organisers of the protest converged on Abuja/Lokoja Highway at the Gwagwalada axis, but were prevented from going beyond restricted area at the Tipper Garrage.
Traffic on the roads were thin unlike the normal working days. The Wazobia Park where motorists embark on journeys to the southern parts of the country was almost deserted. Few passenger vehicles were seen. The motor park and roads had few commuters.
Shops owners on Park Road, and Hospital Road did not open for businesses in time, while the road towards the local government secretariat was taken over by a combined team of policemen, Immigration personnel and Personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
Gwagwalada remained calm as at noon, but soldiers and other security agents watched over the city, the Highway and control movements of vehicles and motorcycles.
Also some members of vigilante groups were seen on motorbikes parading the streets in Gwagwalada. They were armed with locally made guns and sticks to curtail possible break down of law and order by would be protesters.
Urhobo youth leader to Nigerians: shun protest
From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba
The Ethnic President, Urhobo Youth Worldwide UPU (Youth Wing), Mr Kelly Umukoro, has urged Urhobo youths to shun the planned nationwide protest and give President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reform policies a chance. He said the policies being initiated by the Federal Government needs time to work, adding that “policies take time to work”. Umukoro, who spoke in a telephone interview, yesterday, maintained that from experience protests were often hijacked by hoodlums leading to death and destruction of public assets. He added that the #EndSars protests left a trail of destruction and avoidable deaths. He noted that, though, protests are a legitimate means to express grievances over government policies, Nigerians “should also understand the need to give the federal government a chance.” According to him, President Tinubu in the last one year in office has achieved much but stressed that “one year is insufficient time to roll back 60 years of economic decay.” He said he was heartened by the promises made at the Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities Conference which held in Rivers state , adding that it is indicative that President Tinubu was a responsive leader. He expressed optimism that the promises by the federal government at the Ethnic Nationalities Conference which includes fixing of the East/West road in six months, improving security and food security, will be met. He said in the event that the planned protest must go ahead, Urhobo youths must organise themselves in a peaceful manner rather than resort to violence. Umukoro urged governments at all levels to ensure that promises made to Nigerians are kept, adding that leaders in the region have put their reputation and integrity on the line to defend it. His words:” The promises made by the federal government has convinced me that the government of President Tinubu is responsive to the pains of Nigerians. Aside from the deft move in solving the NNPC/ Dangote imbroglio, I am heartened by the promise of N50,000 grant to 10,000 Niger Delta youths by the NDDC. I am also heartened by the promise to fix the East/ West road in six months. So, in the light of these promises, I urge Urhobo youths to shun the planned protests and engage government constructively. Continuing, “ I don’t think there would be any need to protest based on the assurances by federal government. So, I am calling on Urhobo youths to assure them of their rights to protest is protected, however, I urge them to engage government constructively because the last #EndSars and #EndEFCC protests were unpleasant.”
