CITIZENS COMPASS – COMMERCIAL tricycle operators on Saturday, staged a peaceful protest against alleged extortion by touts in the Udu Local Government Area of Delta State.
They also accused the state governor, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, and the counvil chairman for allegedly imposing outrageous levies on them.
The aggrieved protesters who converged on Jigbale market as early as 9 a. m blocked the road leading to Orhunwhorhun community thus preventing vehicular movement in the area.
They also carried placards with inscriptions including “We say no to illegal parking task force”; “Say no to Agbero task force”; “Touts should go and find better work to do” among others.
Speaking with journalists, one of the leaders of the commercial tricycle operators, Anthony Igbebe, said that the protest “is a warning to the Delta State Government to come and address the issues raised”.
According to him, failure by the government to address their grievances will lead to stiffer action by the protesters effective Monday, July 17, including the blockade of the Udu main bridge thus denying residents every access through the area.
“By the time 10,000 workers are affected by Monday, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori will come here,” he said.
He pleaded with the governor to assist in expanding the roads in the Local Government Area so that commercial tricycle operators, motorcycle operators, and other road users can be able to park very well to avoid extortions on them.
Speaking in the same vein, another commercial tricycle operator, Azubuike Alu urged the government to intervene urgently to stop their molestation by touts.
The Chairman of the Delta State branch of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Comrade Peter Edariese however pleaded with the protesting commercial tricycle operators to be law abiding in their agitation and refrain from the destruction of public properties..
While noting that they have the right to freedom of protest, Comrade Edariese enjoined them against being disorderly and destructive saying that the CDHR is behind them in their peaceful and warning protest.
