Commercial drivers in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, on Thursdays, blocked major roads in Calabar to protest what they described as harassment and heavy taxation by government task forces and traffic agencies.
The protest took place at key points in the city, including the University of Calabar main gate, Watt Market, Eleven-Eleven Roundabout, and Stadium Road.
The drivers who parked their vehicles across the roads, chanted “we no go gree,” and stopped traffic for hours condemning the inhumane treatment and abuse of commercial drivers by the state transport and regulatory agencies.
Many commuters were stranded as movement around the city slowed down.
The drivers accused officials of the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and state task force teams of constantly stopping them and collecting different levies.
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They said the repeated ticketing and charges have made their work difficult, especially with the rising cost of fuel and living expenses.
Some drivers operating around the 100 Marian area, claimed they face multiple payments from different agencies on the same day explaining that “this has made it hard to make reasonable profit from their daily struggle.”
Some of the protesters claimed that certain “special drivers” are allowed to carry two passengers in the front seat, while others are arrested and forced to pay heavy fines for doing the same thing.
Special Assistant to Governor Bassey Otu on General Duties, Ekpenyong Akiba, who arrived at the scene with other government officials to calm the situation, appealed to the drivers to reopen the roads and allow free movement in the city.
Speaking to the protesters, he said: “no more ticket until further notice, no more tasking and enforcement.
“We will communicate with the governor and he will give us official directive that will favour all of us. For now, our interest is that you leave the road for othe road users.”
