Sachet water and food vendors made brisk businesses at the Ebonyi International Airport still under construction, where President Muhammadu Buhari landed for his two-day state visit to Ebonyi.
Thousands of cheerful members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Buhari loyalists had converged on the airport at Onueke in Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi to welcome the president.
A cross section of sachet water vendors said on Thursday at the site that they had been making huge sales before the arrival of the president in the morning.
Mrs Bennett Nworie, a sachet water vendor, said she sold over 50 bags between 8 a.m. and noon
She said the visit had created opportunity for huge sales, adding that vendors at the airport had never had it so good.
“The presidential visit brought a good day to us because business is booming and I have sold about 50 bags of sachet water.
“On a normal day, I hardly sell up to 10 bags but this visit has provided me and other vendors to make large sales,” Nworie said.
Mrs Margaret Onwe, another seller, said the scorching sun led to more demands for drinking water.
“I came around 9 a.m. and from that time till this hour, I have not rested from attending to people who are in need of water.
“Sales are going on more than I expected but the number of people in the airport waiting to welcome the president was overwhelming.
“They were beaten by the scorching sun, making them become dehydrated and in need of plenty of water.
“I’ll soon run out of stock; today is a great day to us and I thank Gov. Dave Umahi for bringing the president to Ebonyi,” Onwe said.
Another respondent, Mr Paul Anyigor, who runs a mini restaurant, said that business was moving on well, adding that he had recorded huge sales since morning.
“Customers have been trooping in, in their large numbers to eat and have something to drink; we have exhausted the first set of food we cooked.
“We have made enough sales and I’m afraid that we may not be able to satisfy our customers because we will soon run out of stock,” he said.
A groundnut vendor, Miss Charity Elom, said she made huge sales from the visit.
Buhari, who commenced a two-day working visit to the South-East state, inaugurated projects at King David University of Medical Sciences, Uburu.
The president’s aircraft landed at Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu about 10.a.m.
Buhari was received by Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State and some governors of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) including the Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Gov. Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi, at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu.
Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State and his counterpart from Jigawa, Alhaji Badaru Abubakar were also on solidarity visit to welcome the president to Ebonyi.
The president departed the airport for Uburu, where he inaugurated Twin Flyover, 12 km dual carriage Federal road from Mbu, Enugu State to Uburu, Ebonyi as well as facilities and equipment at the university.
He later proceeded to Muhammadu Buhari International Airport, Onueke via Chopper.
At Onueke, the president inaugurated 5km dual carriage Airport road and the airport Presidential Lodge.
Other projects to be inaugurated by the president while in Abakaliki include new Government House, Centenary City and reconstructed St. Margaret Umahi International Market complex, Abakaliki.
The president will also inaugurate the Aisha Buhari Wife of Governor’s Office Complex, Akanu Ibiam Lodge (new Governor’s Lodge), Ebonyi House
Buhari, who will be hosted to State Dinner by the Ebonyi State Government, on Thursday night, will also inaugurate the Muhammadu Buhari Light Tunnel Flyover an Ebonyi Shopping Mall.
The president will conclude his visit to Ebonyi with closed door meeting with South East leaders in Abakaliki before departing for Abuja on Friday.
