An ongoing protest by residents of Omagwa and Ipo communities in the Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State has rendered passengers travelling via the Port Harcourt International Airport stranded on Wednesday as major flights were disrupted. 

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According to one of the protesters who identified herself as Oki, the protest was fueled by grievances over the lack of power and other essential services in the communities hosting the international airport. She lamented the neglect of their communities by airport authorities.

“We in Omagwa and Ipo don’t have light for over 10 years. We want compensation for the noise pollution coming from the airport every day. We are tired. That is why we are here,” she said.

The demonstrators, numbering in large crowds and gathering as early as 7 am, barricaded the airport entrance, leading to a halt in flight operations.

As a result, travelers were left stranded, and traffic congestion extended from the Airport Road to nearby towns.