Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has intervened in the brewing conflict between Ipo community in Ikwerre Local Government Area and the Port Harcourt International Airport Authority over alleged breach of corporate social responsibilities by the authority and the absence of good community development policies.
Women of Ipo community had on Tuesday morning staged a peaceful protest to the International Airport demanding fair treatment from the airport authority in terms of employment opportunities and other entitlements, which drew the attention of the Rivers State Government.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after a meeting with leaders of Ipo community and the management of the Port Harcourt International Airport Authority in Government House, Port Harcourt, the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo, on behalf of the Governor said the Rivers State Government intervened into the issue to ensure that peace reigns and the two parties have agreed to maintain peace.
He said the Airport Manager has assured that she will channel the complaints of the host community, particularly the issue of employment to the Management of Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, in Abuja for proper attention and action.
The member representing Ikwerre/Emuoha Federal Constituency in the Federal House of Representatives, Hon Boniface Emerengua, who also spoke with news men urged the the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, FAAN to work out modalities to address the demands of the community such as good assess road, network services and health center to address the health needs of the people. He thanked the Governor for accepting to come to the aid of the community in the addressing some of their pressing development needs.
The Caretaker Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area, Dr. Darlington Orji also echoed the need for the Port Harcourt International Airport Authority to heed to the cry of the people by attending to their demands especially on the employment issue that the people were deliberately neglected. He assured that with the governor’s intervention the people will return happy and not embark on protest anymore.
On her part, the Manager of Port Harcourt Airport, Mrs. Ezike thanked the Governor for his timely intervention to ensure that peace returns and assured that she will acquaint the authorities in Abuja with the outcome of the session with the Governor which borders on employment and good community engagement policies.
Speaking on behalf of the Ipo Community, the Woman Leader, Mrs. Emmanuella Mathias Wali said the protest was to register the discontent of the community over the development neglect of the community by the Port Harcourt International Airport Authority, but expressed hope over the intervention of the Government in the matter and urged the Airport Authority to fulfill the promises made to the community in terms of employment opportunities and other development needs.
