COMMERCIAL BUS DRIVERS PROTEST AGAINST DEPLORABLE CONDITION OF ABAKPA MARKET ROAD IN ENUGU

Movement and economic activities were temporarily brought to a halt yesterday at Abakpa Nike., Enugu East Local Government Area, Enugu State, following a protest by commercial bus drivers in the area.

The drivers who refused to work between six and eleven o’clock in the morning were allegedly protesting the deplorable condition of Abakpa market section of Amuri road, which had remained a source of worry to the users.

When Radio Nigeria visited the area, the drivers were seen standing and discussing in groups at Texaco Filling Station near the market.

A driver who would not want his name mentioned, said they embarked on the protest to draw the attention of Enugu State Government to the road after several efforts to get help from the leadership of the Local Government failed.

He also said the drivers were equally not happy with multiple charges imposed on them by the Local Government Council.

When approached for comments, the Transition Committee Chairman, Enugu East Local Government, Prince Cornelius Nnaji who was with the drivers, insisted that there was no problem and warned Radio Nigeria not to cause confusion in the area.

Leaders of the protest could not speak to our Correspondent in the presence of the Transition Committee Chairman.

Efforts to get the reactions of officials of the State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure could not yield positive result as the Commissioner, the Permanent Secretary and the Public Relations Officer were not on seat when Radio Nigeria called.

However, as at the time of filing this report, normalcy had returned as drivers had resumed work.

CHINWE UGWUANYI