Tipper drivers in Anambra state on Friday blocked the ever-busy Enugu-Onitsha expressway in Awka in protest of alleged extortion by agents of state government.
The protesters, numbering over 200, barricaded both sides of the expressway for over four hours, subjecting motorists to untold hardship while the protest lasted.
While some of the drivers waited patiently till the end of the demonstration, others however diverted to other routes in continuation of their journey.
Addressing newsmen in front of the Government House, leader of the protesters, Emma Ezeokafor, in charge of Anambra and Imo, decried alleged extortion and harasement by its past chairman, one Ogechukwu Ndulue, in connivance with government agents.
He wondered why an association that contributed largely to the state Internal Generated Revenue could suffer untold extortion in the hands of those he referred to as enemies of government.
He said his association had since dissociated itself from the man, demanding the government should deal directly with them so they would stop remitting through a “contractor.”
He said: “How can we be paying N700 to N1,500 for a trip of about N1,000? We were initially paying N100 to N200 per trip until this extortion started.
“We know the contribution we make to the state IGR. That’s why you can’t talk about the IGR of the state without tipper drivers.
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“We’ve been a law abiding association. But even as we are protesting, the man asked police to shoot us, describing us as touts.”
He said essence of the protest was to draw attention of the government to their plight, insisting they would not vacate the road until their demands were met.
Addressing the protesters, the Secretary to the State government, Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, commended them for their peaceful conduct but appealed to them to clear the highway for flee flow of traffic.
He said: “You know this is a federal road. We can’t have any meaningful and fruitful discussions on the highway.
“I request you select some persons among your leadership so we can discuss and find lasting solution to the problem.”
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