Commuters were for some hours stranded in some parts of Benin, the Edo State Capital, on Monday, as commercial bus drivers protested the high cost of diesel in the state.
The bus drivers blocked the ever-busy Upper Sakponba Road, stopping other commercial drivers from picking up passengers, while cars were seen with green leaves to show solidarity for the cause of the drivers.
Speaking, one of the drivers, who simply gave his name as Tony, said they have had enough of the suffering and wanted the government to do something about the high cost of diesel. He said they were buying diesel for N180 per litre at the inception of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.)’s administration, but that it now cost over N800.
“We, the drivers are suffering in this country. We were buying diesel for N180 per litre when Buhari became the President. Today, it goes for more than N800. The cost of spare parts is also very high. Go to Uwelu Market and see how much even second-hand spare parts are sold. The problem is that after buying diesel, you have to settle the owner of the bus before you can think of what to go home with to take care of your family, we cannot continue this way” he said.
Also speaking, another driver, who gave his name as Osarobo Idahosa, said the cost of diesel and spare parts were so high that they could not bear it anymore.
He said, “We have to come out to protest as the situation has become unbearable. Imagine the cost of diesel and spare parts, which are rising every day. The government must do something about this to alleviate this problem.”
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