Traders Block Benin-Lagos Expressway

By Ebitonye Akpodigha

Some aggrieved market women disrupted the free flow of traffic on Monday along the busy Benin-Lagos expressway.

The protesters expressed their disapproval over plans by the Egor Local Government Area of Edo State to relocate them to another location.

During the demonstration, the traders shutdown the Uselu/Ugbowo section of the road, leaving many travellers stranded.

The council, we learnt, built lockup shops for the market women, but they have refused to move in, according them, because of the high cost of getting them.

On Monday, council officials began destroying makeshifts at the market, which angered the traders.

Some of the protesters claimed the council wants them to cough out N1.2 million to acquire the stalls at the new location, which they said was too expensive, considering the present economic situation in the country and what they also sell at the market, majorly foodstuffs.

During Monday’s protest, the women, who carried placards conveying different messages, described the council’s move as an act of wickedness.

They called on the state government to prevail on the council to review the prices of the stalls downward.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the council’s spokesperson, Mrs Prisca Ebvadiaro, declined speaking on the issue, pointing out that a committee had been set up to look into the matter.