Commercial drivers on Monday blocked parts of Upper Sakponba Road in Benin City to protest a recent increase in petrol prices, causing major disruption and leaving commuters stranded.
The drivers also urged colleagues to raise transport fares immediately, warning that passengers who paid old rates could be forced to pay extra or be dropped midway.
According to Nigerian Mirror the protest created gridlock along the busy corridor, with many passengers trekking long distances to bypass roadblocks set up at Aifuwa Street and Pioneer Junction.
One driver, who identified himself as John, said the protest was necessary for survival, citing a sharp rise in the price of Premium Motor Spirit from about N870 to N1,350 per liter.
“We were buying fuel for N870 before the increment and carrying passengers for N500, but now fuel is N1,350 and fares remain the same. How do you expect us to survive?” he said. “You buy fuel worth N25,000 for a day and still have to settle the bus owner. How do you make money to take care of your family?”
A passenger, who declined to be named, said she was traveling from Ring Road when she encountered the blockade, forcing drivers to drop passengers.
“I was coming from Ring Road this morning. When we got to Oka Market, I saw the road was blocked by drivers protesting for higher fares due to the fuel price increase,” she said. “When they started asking people to get down, I parked my loads and got down. I want to cross the roadblock before boarding another bus to Idogbo.”
The rising cost of fuel has already pushed up transport fares across parts of Benin City. Trips from Idogbo along Upper Sakponba Road to Ring Road, previously costing between N500 and N700, now range from N800 to N1,000. Fares from Ikpoba Hill to Ring Road have also increased from N500–N700 to between N800 and N1,000.
