Business
PH Airport Mgt, Restaurant Operators Flex Muscles Over Relocation
The relocation order given to restaurant and allied operators at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, by the management of the airport has met with severe opposition, as business operators have refused to comply with the order.
The order of relocation is acclaimed to be one of the controversial policies introduced by the new Airport Manager, Micheal Arewa, as he took over the affairs of the airport.
Restaurants and allied operators at the airport have refused to comply with the order, as they alleged that the management want them to relocate to empty land, without any structure on it, apart from the distance from where they currently operate from.
One of the business operators, popularly known as Aka Love, who reacted to the matter while interacting with The Tide, explained that the distance between the new place and the old is much, and that many people will find it difficult to patronise them, which will amount to loss of customers.
Also, she lamented that the airport manager refused to build any structure for them to relocate to, meaning that they will have to either stay under the sun, or be forced to build structures again for themselves.
“Things are very difficult now, and how would you want us to relocate to that distant place without even a structure. This means that they are indirectly forcing us to go there and build structure for ourselves, whereas they are the ones relocating us”, she said.
The Tide observed that the restaurant operational areas such as the place popularly known as “Ukwu mango”, and the cargo area have been sealed by the airport management as at the time of this report.
In spite of this action of the airport management, restaurant operators were still seen hanging around the old place to do their business unofficially as at the time of this report.
Meanwhile, the Airport Manager, Mr Michael Arewa, could not be reached, as he had consistently shown unwillingness to speak to the press, no matter what the aviation correspondents would want to clearify from him, since he assumed office.
Nevertheless a source close to the airport manager, who wished to be anonymous, confided in The Tide and blamed the restaurant operators for not rising to the occasion on time to express their grievance.
“I had expected them to have earlier made their position known to the management, but they had kept quiet until now that they started to react”, he stated.
Corlins Walter
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and other stakeholders have charted path to improved organic agriculture practices nationwide.
At a 2024 national organic and agroecology business summit held recently in Abuja, stakeholders took turn to speak on the additional areas of promoting the practices.
The Mandate Secretary, FCT Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat (ARDS), Lawan Geidam, advocated for sustainable practice to develop resilient food systems that will benefit people.
The event, with the theme,”Towards Policies for Upscaling Organic Agroecological Businesses in Nigeria”, is aimed at fostering growth in the organic agriculture sector.
Geidam, who was represented by the Acting Director, Agric Services, in the Secretariat, Mr. Ofili Bennett, emphasised the success of organic and agroecological farming, reling on the active involvement of farmers, businesses and consumers.
He reassured attendees that the FCT Administration, led by the Minister, Nyesom Wike, and Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, remains dedicated to supporting initiatives that enhance the livelihood of residents.
Geidam described the partnership between the Secretariat and the organic and Agroecology initiative for a monthly exhibition and sale of organic products in the FCTA premises as a testament to this commitment.
“The ARDS remains committed to driving policies and initiatives that align with national goals and global standards”, Geidam said.
On her part, the Chairperson of Organic and Agroecology Initiative, Mrs. Janet Igho, urged residents to embrace healthy eating habits to sustain a good lifestyle. She stressed the importance of adopting organic practices, highlighting the benefits of going organic, growing organic and consuming organic products.
Igho expressed her optimism regarding the Agricultural Revival Programmes as articulated in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda”, which aims at fostering food and nutrition security.
She also extended her gratitude to ARDS for graciously allocating a space in the FCTA premises for the exhibition and sale of organic products, noting that the platform has been effectively used to advance the promotion of organic agriculture in FCT.
Igho outlined several benefits of organic agriculture which includes improved soil health, increased biodiversity, availability nutritious and healthy food and a reduced carbon footprint.
Stakeholders at the summit, underscored the critical need for enhanced private sector involvement and robust capacity building initiatives for farmers.
They highlighted the importance of implementing supportive policies to foster the growth of the organic agriculture sector.
In the light of the significant challenges facing Nigeria’s agricultural landscape, stakeholders decided that organic agricultural practices present sustainable solutions and a pathway for a more resilient and productive farming systems.
The three-day summit featured exhibitions showcasing organic foods, fruits, vegetables and fertilizers, providing an opportunity for residents to better appreciate the benefits of production and consumption of organic agricultural products.
