Drivers block Niger bridge over extortion by Soludo boys & Delta State Government

Tipper Drivers on Tuesday blocked the Uga-Onitsha-Asaba Highway which caused traffic gridlock for travellers on the Road. The drivers, acting under the aegis of Association of Tipper Drivers, were protesting the over extortions by agents of both Anambra and Delta State Governments.

According to reports, the drivers complained that they were always levied N2,700 after loading sand into their tippers at Asaba. They also stated that on crossing the Niger Bridge, getting into Anambra State, they are still be asked to pay N3,000. They, therefore, decided to protest the situation.

The protest, which started early hours of Tuesday, however, caused pandemonium on the highway. Motorists were stranded for several hours on the same spot as there was no movement on both lanes of the ever-busy Expressway, reports Vanguard.

Addressing the press, Onodugo Onochie, who spoke on behalf of the protesters, lamented the condition of the drivers. He said they were being extorted in Anambra State even in the face of dilapidated roads.

According to him, “The revenue agents always insisted on the payment of N3,000. This is extortion, which must not continue anymore. This prompted the tipper drivers to use their vehicles to block the expressway.

“Because of the bad roads in Onitsha that damage our vehicles, we resolved to now load sand at Asaba, Delta State. Thia is to save us from the damage to our vehicles.

“So, this morning, some of us who loaded at Asaba paid N2,700 they demanded from each tipper in a day. And on getting to Onitsha end of the Niger Bridge, precisely at Uga Junction, the Anambra Government demanded another money. Some boys stopped us adjacent to the military checkpoint, and demanded that we should pay N3,000 before we could move.

“We are, therefore, protesting this incessant taxation on carrying sand by government.