Tricycle riders took to the streets on Wednesday to protest against fuel price hikes, disrupting business activities and vehicular movement in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.
The protesters, who are heavily reliant on fuel for their operations, blocked major junctions including the Deco Road Junction, First-Marine Gate Junction and the popular Hausa Quarters, Igbudu, causing significant disruption to both vehicular movement and local business activities.
The demonstration began early in the morning, as hundreds of tricycle operators converged on key intersections, creating severe traffic bottlenecks.
“We are struggling to make ends meet as fuel prices continue to rise. The increase is unsustainable for us,” said Samuel Okoro, a tricycle rider and protest leader.
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The protester’s sentiments were echoed by many of them who voiced their frustration over the escalating costs.
The blockage of major roads had an immediate impact on the local economy.
Shops and businesses in the affected areas reported a sharp decline in customer traffic.
“Our sales have dropped drastically today because people can’t get through the blocked roads,” Evans Koko, a local shop owner lamented. “This situation is detrimental to our livelihood.”
On their part, community leaders quickly intervened to address the growing tension in Igbudu community and brokered a temporary truce.
“We understand the concerns of the tricycle riders and the government are working to find a solution,” stated one of the community leaders.
He also said, “In the meantime, we have negotiated to open the roads and restore normalcy.”
Following the intervention, the blocked roads were cleared by early hours of afternoon, allowing traffic to resume and businesses to begin recovery.
The pump price of petrol was increased on Tuesday from less than N700 per litre to between N900 and N1200.
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