In protest of the recent rise in the cost of petroleum products, drivers on the Upper Sakponba Road in Benin City, the capital of Edo State, stopped portions of the popular road on Monday.

Additionally, the protesting drivers quickly raised their fares, threatening to dismiss passengers midway or impose additional fees on those who boarded buses at the previous rates.

Many commuters were stranded in the vicinity due to the disruption created by the protest. At Aifuwa Street and Pioneer Junction, a number of passengers had to walk great lengths to get past two roadblocks set up by the drivers.

John, one of the protesting drivers, stated that the protest was essential to their existence, pointing out that the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), which used to cost little over N800 per litre, had increased dramatically to over N1,350.

According to him, “We were buying fuel for N870 before the increment and we carry passengers for N500, but now we buy fuel for 1350 and still carry passengers for the same amount, how do you expect us to survive?

“You buy fuel for N25,000 for a day, you balance the owner of the bus, how do you make money that you will take home to take care of your family?” he queried. 

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