The #EndBadGovernance protest has partially grounded commercial activities in some Rivers and Cross River as banks and some business outfits did not open for business.

A survey around Port Harcourt city showed that banks and many business offices were closed during the morning hours. Vehicular movement in the city was skeletal, as only a few commercial vehicles were on the roads.

Motor parks around the Waterline, Rumuola, and Mile One areas were opened, but travellers were not seen at the parks.

Although major entrances to Eliozu, Mile 3 and Rumuokoro axis public markets were open, shop owners did not open for business.

While many residents stayed indoors, some stood in groups around the State Secretariat area.

A few commercial vehicles were seen around Pleasure Park, along the Port Harcourt-Aba Expressway, where the protesters gathered.

Meanwhile, the police command in Rivers has expressed its commitment to the peace and security of the state during the exercise.

The spokeswoman, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, said in a statement that police personnel had been deployed to key locations to ensure public safety.
She said that there were possibilities that mischief-makers could exploit the situation to incite chaos and civic unrest.

Ms Iringe-Koko said that the command was closely monitoring the protest and expressed its preparedness to act professionally to maintain law and order.

Ms Iringe-Koko added that the police would not tolerate acts of criminality, such as looting and harassment of innocent citizens during the demonstration.

Although there is no sign of protest in Cross River, commercial activities in Calabar are partially at a standstill following the commencement of the protest.

The major roads in the city are calm and without vehicular movement, even as banks, markets and other business offices are closed.

Some hospitals, health centres, and medical laboratories in Calabar metropolis were open to operation.

Uyo, the capital city of Akwa Ibom, was calm as residents and vehicles during the morning hours.

Security vehicles were seen at the Banking Layout, Udo Udoma Avenue, with a heavy presence of security personnel at the entrance of the Central Bank of Nigeria office.

Commercial banks in the city did not open for businesses as their major entry points were under lock and key.

(NAN)