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Work Resumes Today After Sallah Holidays …Transporters Decry Low Patronage
Rev. Stephen Akinola (left) on exhibition during skills acquisition programme organised by Divine Daughters of Destiny in Port Harcourt recently. With him are a staff of RSNC, Mrs F. West (right) and others. Photo: Nwiueh Donatus Ken
Normal work resumes today following the end of the two-day Eid-el-Kabir Festival.
The Federal Government had declared Monday and Tuesday public holidays to enable Muslims fully participate in the celebration.
Meanwhile, drivers at the various motor parks across the city of Port Harcourt have complained of low volume of business during the holidays.
A cross-section of the drivers, who spoke to The Tide both at the Abali and Mile 111 Parks said that transportation activities during the holidays were low compared to previous holidays.
Mr Cletus Obi, who plies the Port Harcourt-Aba route said that business was low during the holidays, stressing that most people who travelled to Aba during the holidays went on account of business activities and not because of the Festival.
Obi also complained of high increase in the price of fuel, stressing that this also made it difficult for drivers.
According to him, during the holidays, the price of fuel rose from N97 to N110 per litre.
Also speaking, one Mr. Stanley Princewill, who was on his way to Buguma, said that the holidays did not affect him as he was still working during the period.
In his view, a driver, who plies the Buguma-Port Harcourt route, Mr. John Whyte, said that the holidays did not affect his business, and attributed it to the low volume of economic activities in the state.
Whyte also said that as a transporter, he was not aware that many people travelled to the country sides in respect of the holidays, because according to him, there was no money.
At the various jetties visited, The Tide also noticed very low business activities as the volume of passengers remained the same.
However, The Tide learnt that the fuel scarcity occasioned by the ongoing strike by oil and gas workers\also affected the operations of boat drivers as the few who managed to get fuel at slightly higher rate had to increase their fares.
When The Tide visited the ever busy Mile 3 Park, there was a doldrum in commercial transportation as most of the drivers that ply various routes recounted a lull in business activities.
According to a commercial motorist, Mr. Akanimo Udosen, who plies Port Harcourt – Omoku, “business is very low, compared to other Sallah holidays, or Christmas, when people return in their numbers and there is always a boom”.
Another motorist, who plies Port Harcourt – Owerri route and simply identified hemself as Paul, said there was no business as people did not travel much because of money.
He said the few travelers returning from their journeys were mostly civil servants with a schedule to beat early morning traffic and resume to work.
A civil servant returning from Ahoada, who spoke with our correspondent on the Sallah holiday, said the situation was grim as there was no money to spend as salary has not been paid.
Investigations within the Mile 3 Park also revealed that vehicles loading passengers travelling outside Port Harcourt stayed for a longer period before they got their vehicles fully loaded.
A member of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, told The Tide that the park would be busier Monday morning as more people would return from their journeys.
Meanwhile, Moslem faithful within the city were fully in the mood of celebration as they shared the spirit of Sallah passionately with their neighbours and people within the environment.
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene
