First Lady's Rivers Visit Shuts Down Port Harcourt

Residents of the Old Government Reservation Area (GRA) in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, have cried out over the inconveniences they have been suffering since the First Lady, Patience Jonathan, arrived the state last Friday.

Since Mrs. Jonathan arrived in the city, there has been massive security around her private residence at Bauchi Street, Old GRA.

All the adjoining streets had been condoned off, while an Armoured Personnel Carrier  (APC) is stationed at the entrance of Bauchi Street.

Security personnel have also set up surface bunkers in the adjoining streets, while pedestrian and vehicular traffic are restricted into the adjoining streets.

Yesterday, for instance, vehicles going into the GRA from Amadi Flat area were diverted into Aba Road or were forced to make use of the few streets allowed.
This caused a massive traffic gridlock, as the few open streets in the neighbourhood were under reconstruction.

However, despite the security presence, Port Harcourt Primary School, located at the entrance to Bauchi Street, was open  Monday, as teachers and pupils were allowed into the school for normal activities.

But a female teacher, who would not want to be named, told THISDAY that while the security operatives were very polite, their presence was a distraction to the pupil.
“The policemen and other security personnel here have been very polite. They did not harass us, but their presence was a huge distraction to the pupils,” she said.

She said it was also difficult for teachers, who had cars to drive into the school.
“Our cars were thoroughly searched. We were also screened and frisked before we were allowed into the school,” she said.
A resident of the area, who simply gave his name as Chief Kalio, said movement of members of his family had been impaired since last week by the security.

“My son, this is unusual. I cannot move freely even when they know I live here. The situation is frustrating,” he said.

On his part, Johnson Peterside, a driver, also lamented that the heavy security presence had put him under tremendous stress.

He said the owner of the taxi he drives lives around the area and that the security build-up in the area had made it difficult for him to collect and return the vehicle from the residence of the owner.

Meanwhile, the residence of the First Lady had become a Mecca of sorts for top politicians of the state, especially those opposed to the state governor, Chibuike Amaechi.

There were speculations that the visit of the first lady would further galvanise efforts to woo members of the State House of Assembly to back the bid to impeach the governor.