Commercial drivers blocked off main highways in Benin, the capital of Edo State, on Tuesday to protest the state’s implementation of the color code as well as some excessive ticket fines.
To express their displeasure, the drivers in large numbers stopped on the main Sapele Road, Ring Road, Ugbowo Road, Aduwawa, First East Circular Road, and Akpapava.
Before giving them short notice, the state government, according to one of the drivers, Samuel Omoriege, should take into account the current economic climate. He requested that the government give them six months’ notice before enforcing the law.
“We are not saying we will not pay, but the notice is too short. Government is not sensitive to our condition. Some of us are graduates without job.
“For instance, I am a graduate of Auchi Polytechnic. It is unemployment that drove me into this job. So, we need time to raise money for the code and painting,” he said.
James Akpotarie, another driver, claimed that it was impossible to transport workers because of new government initiatives intended to increase state revenue.
According to Akpotarie, the government recently increased the daily ticket price from N600 to N1800, with the exception of Sundays when it is N800.
“Where is government imposing levy on Sunday if not to mount further hardship on commercial drivers? We urge Governor Godwin Obaseki to rescind the anti-people policy in order to restore law and order,” he added.
Speaking to the demonstrators, the state’s Permanent Secretary for Transportation, Mr. Washington Abbe, promised that the governor will hear their plea and that all the vehicles seized by the task force would be released.
