By Oghenruona Tejiri, Warri
Commercial activities and vehicular movements were disrupted in Warri, Delta State on Wednesday, September 4, 2024 as tricycle riders took to the streets protesting against hike in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) popularly known as fuel.
The.peaceful protesters said they were forced to take to the streets to vent their anger over the increase in the price of fuel because of the attendant spiralling negative economic effect it will have on their business and their family lives
The protesters blocked major junctions including the popular Deco Road Junction, Firstt Marine Gate Junction and Hausa Quarters in Igbudu community, all in Warri South Local Government Area causing significant disruption to both vehicular movement and local business activities.
The demonstration which began in the early hours saw the protesters registering their displeasure by chanting songs that depict rejection of any increment.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, a Tricycle rider, Mr Jolomi Ayenuwa said,, “we are protesting against the high cost of fuel, as it concerns us and it’s affecting us as the tricycle riders and the good citizens of this country. We are struggling to make ends meet as fuel prices continue to rise. The increase is unsustainable for us.
“Because what affects us the Tricycle riders affects the masses also. As tricycle riders, we can not buy fuel at the rate of N1,300, N1,400, or at the rate of N1,500 and transport passengers at the rate of N100 or N200. If I ask a passenger to pay N500 a drop from popular Enerhen Junction to Okumagba Estate, he or she will not agree to pay. We are not working as a company but just trying to make ends meet with this little struggle.
“After buying the fuel at a very high price, we pay N250(two hundred and fifty naira) community fee daily and also pay N50 for every loading. Vehicle Inspection Officers(VIOs)will also collect money from us, police are collecting N100 everyday for morning and evening, ticket sellers will collect their money from us after buying costly fuel. This is too much on us.
“To feed our family is not easy and school fees is by the corner as schools would soon resume. We are asking that government should bring down the price of fuel considerably. It used to be before now N200 or N180”, he said
He spoke further, ” the increase in price of fuel is negatively affecting us all and, we, the masses are groaning. We can not close our mouths again that is why we are crying out. And nobody will shot us down, because this is our right.
“We are not protesting because of anybody, but we are protesting on behalf of the masses as citizens of this country. This protest is peaceful, but we need the government to do the needful. We are begging, let the government look at the masses and come to our rescue, we need urgent attention. To balance pay off Keke now is over five million naira. For five years.”
It was noticed that blockage of major roads had immediate impact on the local economy.as shops and businesses in the affected areas witnessed a sharp decline in customer traffic, as many of the shops and offices were closed within the period the protest lasted.
Some residents who spoke, called on the Federal Government to urgently look into the plights of citizens and jettison any plan to increase pump price of fuel.
However, prompt intervention of some Community leaders calm the growing tension in iIgbudu community in Warri South Local Government Area as they engaged in discussions with the protestors and managed to broker a temporary truce.
Speaking on the issue, Mr. Zion Ereberi, Youth President, Igbudu Community said, “my attention was drawn this morning to the actions of the protesters that blocked some major roads in our community over fuel price increase .
“But when I approached some of the protesters, they said “the price of fuel is too high, that even when they are working they don’t make any profit. They are calling on government to come to their aid.”
