Transport operators and those that do business within and around the University of Port Harcourt environment are now smiling again, as the school has fully resumed for academic activities.
Our correspondent who went round the school environment in Choba observed that some of those that operate taxi and bus shuttle services who were complaining of low patronage before now due to a long period of the school closure are now smiling again.
One of the taxi operators, Mr Mike Enyia, who operates between Choba and Abuja campus, told The Tide that business activities had begun to pick up as students are now back on campus.
He said things were tough for him and his family during the time the school was closed as he could barely meet up with daily returns.
Chigozie Eme, a bus operator, said normal business had returned because students population forms the bulk of their passengers.
“During the period of strike of ASUU and lockdown, my business went down, and I was tempted to withdraw my vehicle from this line, because it was difficult to take care of my family.
“Thank God that the school has reopened, and normal operations have begun. Without the students on campus, our business will suffer, and we will have no money”, he said.
Meanwhile, one of the shop owners behind the Abuja Park/Aluu Road, Mr Promise Alozie, also expressed happiness over the reopening of the school.
He said his business was badly affected during the period of the closure due to lack of patronage, but noted that the situation has changed now.
Alozie, however, decried the attitude of some landlords in the area who increased their rent despite the challenges faced by many shop owners.

Corlins Walter