Work Resumes Today After Moslems Holidays

Major motor parks in Port Harcourt metropolis, including the popular Abali Park and the Mile Three Motor Park, came alive yesterday as citizens who travelled to the countryside to celebrate the Moslems Sallah holidays started returning to Port Harcourt.

At the Abali Park, a civil servant, told The Tide that the Sallah celebration was without colour as he  did not receive his October salary before travelling to his village  for the Sallah.

However, he gave kudos to the Federal Government for stabiling the price of petroleum products which help to ensure there was no transport fare hike during the Sallah period.

Also speaking to The Tide, Miss Mary Adam said the Sallah holidays were a period of sober reflection for Nigerians, saying, it was not a mere coincidence  that the Sallah fell on a Sunday, the day of worship for Christians.

She said the coincidence provided both Moslems and Christians in the country an opportunity to reflect on their relationship and live as brother and sisters.

But Mr Christopher Amadi was of the opinion that the Federal Government should take proactive measures to checkmate the Boko Haram Islamic sect that is unleashing terror in some parts of Nigeria.

He said this was necessary as the sect had gone haywire, destroying valuable lives and property without any hindrance.

The Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos, yesterday saw a huge number of passengers returning from the Eid-El-Kabir holidays across the nation.

Our correspondent recalls that the Federal Government had declared November 7 and November 8 as public holidays for the celebration of Eid-El-Kabir.

The Tide correspondent, who was at the airport, reported seeing hundreds of passengers exiting the arrival hall of terminal 2 of the MMA and the General Aviation Terminal of the airport.

Two of them told our correspondent that they were Lagos-based and hoped to resume work on Wednesday.

Mr Segun Atobatele, who works with an oil company on Lagos Island, said: “My family is in Abuja. I went to spend the holidays with them; it is great to be with one’s family and have fun with them.

“My flight was very smooth and there was a lot of passengers in the aircraft.’’.

A female civil servant, who pleaded anonymity, said that she had to come back to resume work on Wednesday at the state secretariat, Alausa.

She commended the government for the holidays, noting that it allowed some workers to have enough rest and take care of their health condition.

A businesswoman, Mrs Fatimah Jimoh, told newsmen that she had to come back to  supervise her fashion and eatery business in Surulere.

Jimoh, who came back with her two kids, said that the holidays had given workers the opportunity to relax with their families.