Commuters were for some hours stranded in some part of Benin City, the Edo State Capital on Monday as protesting commercial drivers took to the road to protest the high cost of diesel in the state.
The bus drivers blocked the ever busy Upper Sakponba Road, restricting other commercial drivers from carry passengers, while cars were seen with green leaves to show solidarity to the course of the drivers.
Speaking, one of the drivers, who simple gave his name as Tony, said they have had enough of the suffering and want the government to do something about the cost of diseal it. He said they were buying diesel for #180,00(One Hundred and Eighty naira) at the inception of Buhari’s administration but that diesel now cost over #800,00 .
“We, drivers are suffering in this country, Imagine that we were buying diesel for 180,00 when Buhari become the President. Today, it goes for more than 800, 00 naira. Thecost of spare parts is also very high. Go to Uwelu Market and see how much even second hand spare parts cost. The problem is that after buying diseal, you have to settle the owner of the bus, before you can think of what to go home with to take care of your family, we cannot continue this way.” He said.
Also speaking , another driver, who gave his name as Osarobo Idahosa, said the cost of diseal and spare parts are much that they cannot bear it again and have to act and the only option was for them to protest.
“Mr. Journalist, don’t ask me questions, are You not part of the country? Don’t you buy things in the market? We are suffering over high cost of gas , spare parts and we cannot bear it again. That is one we are in the street.” He said.
