NSF: Port Harcourt Witnesses Influx Of Visitors

From Left: Vice President Namadi Sambo; Guest Speaker, Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom; and NUJ President, Malam Garba Mohammad, at the N1billon NUJ fund raising dinner in Abuja on Thursday.

The Rivers state capital, Port Harcourt has witnessed an influx of sports enthusiasts coming to watch events at the National Sports Festival holding from June 27 to July 11.

Sports fans from the Federal Capital Territory and 35 states of the federation, as well as those from some neighbouring African countries, like Benin Republic, have been thronging the different venues of the festival to watch the games.

The Weekend Tide  reports that there has been an increase in both human and vehicular traffic in the city since the games kicked-off on June 27.

Some sports fans who spoke to newsmen expressed enthusiasm at the commencement of the Games saying “the festival promises to be a memorable one despite the heavy traffic and shortage of accommodation’’.

Our correspondent reports that heavy traffic was experienced at the NTA-Choba road leading to the games village at the University of Port Harcourt.

Other areas which have been experiencing traffic gridlock are the Aba expressway and East-West road.

Segun Akinyemi, from Ogun state on a first visit to Port Harcourt with his family, expressed the hope that the festival would produce athletes that would represent the country in future tourneys.

He said that the traffic congestion had, however, affected his plans of exploring the city.

According to him, the government should have taken the traffic situation into cognizance and put in place a strategy that will reduce the hardship of motorists.

An athlete from one of the participating states, who did not want his name published, decried the poor accommodation arrangement made by the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for athletes at the games village.

According to him, the state government had done little in the provision of suitable accommodation.

“A situation where several athletes are accommodated in one single room is not commendable,” he said.

“It will definitely affect the performance of some athletes, thereby robbing their states of medals,” he stressed.

In another development, a transporter, Mr Richards Amadi said the increased number of visitors was good for him, adding that his earnings had tripled since the festival commenced.

He said business was good despite the heavy traffic around the city.

Amadi, however, urged the state government to urgently address the traffic situation in the city.

Meanwhile, operators of restaurants and petty traders are making brisk business with increased sales at the venues of the 17th National Sports Festival in Port Harcourt which began on June 27.

Sportswear traders, restaurants, recharge card sellers and hawkers of all sorts of goods are on ground at the venues.

Our correspondent reports that some of the Games venues are Port Harcourt Club 1928, Port Harcourt Golf Course, Township School Moscow Road, University of Port Harcourt and the Liberation Stadium.

Miss Lucy Briggs, who operates a restaurant at Moscow Road, told The Weekend Tide yesterday that business had been good since the festival commenced in the city on Monday.

“These are good times now. What we are witnessing presently is good for everyone as we make profits we never imagined.

“Most of the athletes and officials detest the food served them at their various hostels and we provide a ready source of alternative to them.

“I thank Gov. Rotimi Amechi for ensuring that the state hosted the festival in spite of earlier hitches as it would showcase the state’s culture and hospitality to visitors from other states,’’ she said.

Uche Ikpeolu, a GSM Recharge Card Seller at Port Harcourt Club 1928 said he was making good profit to the admiration of his master.

“I wish this sports festival will not end as most times I do not even meet up with the demands of the customers who seem to be increasing by the minute.

“The only sore point is that I have been tempted to abandon school for now, as I cannot withstand the lure of recording huge sales on daily basis,’’ he said.

Mrs Agatha Wolu, a beverages dealer beside the Port Harcourt Golf Course said that she was happy with the development as her rapid sales had enabled her to meet up with her family needs.

“I was worried about the payment of my children’s school fees but with the rate of sales at present, I am optimistic of making enough money before the end of the festival to pay the fees”, she said.

Our correspondent also reports that dealers in sportswear were not left out as Franklin Emeka said the festival would remain the most memorable thing that would happen to his business.

Emeka, who came from Aba, Abia state, said he had been in Port Harcourt since June 27 selling his wares.

“I came from Aba only for the festival. This is my fourth day in this city and I have been making good sales,’’ he said.

He said that the 2011 Garden City Games were events in the right direction as his daily sales and gains doubled what it was in Aba.

He called for continuity in the hosting of sports festival to harness sports talents and assist indigenes to grow in business.

Mr Dapa Davids, a social commentator, however, expressed worry that the boom in various businesses during the festival would dissuade most children from attending school.

From Left: Vice President Namadi Sambo; Guest Speaker, Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom; and NUJ President, Malam Garba Mohammad, at the N1billon NUJ fund raising dinner in Abuja on Thursday.