Edo Youths came out in large numbers on Tuesday 12th October 2021, to protest the deplorable condition of the Benin/Warri express road. The youths met at a section of the road and staged a peaceful protest on the road.
They came out with placards bearing various inscriptions. The youths demanded that President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Works, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, to fix the bad road.
The youths refused to leave the street and this caused huge traffic gridlock on the road for many hour, and hike in transport fare.
Police operatives however came to the scene to maintain peace and order. While speaking, one of the youthy, Patrick Eholor the founder of ‘One Love Foundation’, promised that thepeaceful protest until the government fix the road.
While speaking he said that the road has become a death trap for innocent people. This is because armed robbers now use it as their hideout to rob innocent citizens plying the road.
In his words: “Road construction ought not to be a matter for discussion in 21st Century; especially in a country that prides itself as the giant of Africa. The road has become a deathtrap for road users and hideouts for armed robbers especially at night. Some persons have died on this road.The women can no longer take their goods and farm produce to their various destinations. It has become a spot for herdsmen. Buhari has had its own fair share. We (Nigerians) have never had it worse since the history of this country. We, as a people, have a responsibility and obligation to demand for good governance”.
Another youth while speaking stated that the Minister of Works, Mr Babatubde Raji Fashola, travels through the air, which according to him is the reason, he doesn’t experience what road users face.
“I am sure that Babatunde Fashola has been travelling either with a chopper or an aeroplane with his family, not to know what challenges road users face daily.”
Some residents also lamented the bad condition of the road, which, according to them, has disconnected communities in Edo and Delta States.
They stated that the protest is to inform the government and relevant authorities about the deplorable state of the road and remedy it.
