Business
Road Project: PH Traders Decry Low Patronage
Traders and shop own
ers along the Sani Abacha Road in Port Harcourt have lamented loss of business patronage, following the slow pace of work on the road.
Some of the traders who spoke with our correspondent said business activities within the area have been grounded due to inaccessibility of the road.
A supermarket owner, Mrs Favour Onyekwere, who spoke with our correspondent said there was obvious decline in patronage as people no longer ply the road as a result of diversion due to the road construction.
“Our business turn over these days are not as promising as before, our teeming customers no longer come to patronize us, as they cannot drive through the road, especially between Aba road and Casablanca junction. The Government should do something to save our businesses”.
Another respondent, Mr. Festus Igwe, a bontique owner, along the Abacha road, also lamented low business patronage, due to obstructions as a result of the road construction.
“We are already in the season of sales and promotion, but the signals are very low. Our customers are complaining that they cannot shop well, because of the poor state of the growth, we are losing our customers the government should quickly intervene to save our businesses from collapsing”.
Others respondents who spoke with our correspondent, also urged the Rivers State Government to call on the contractors handling the road to expedite action and speedily deliver the project to alleviate the plight of the road users.
A visit to the affected road, shows that the road is barricaded and remain largely impassable.
By: Taneh Beemene.
Business
Kenyan Runners Dominate Berlin Marathons
Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.
Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.
The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.
Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.
“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.
“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”
Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.
In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.
Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.
Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.