By Osahon Osahon
Youths in Edo State on Tuesday protested the failed portion of the Benin-Warri expressway, by Sapele Road end of Benin City.
Armed with placards with various inscriptions, the youths converged on a section of the road by RCC, at about 7.30 am.
They demanded that President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Works, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, end the carnage brought by the failed road.
The development caused huge traffic gridlock on the road, resulting in loss of valuable man-hours and hike in transport fare.
Police operatives were seen controlling traffic and maintaining law and order.
President of One Love Foundation, Patrick Eholor,
who joined the peaceful protest, vowed to sustain it until the road is fixed.
“Road construction ought not to be a matter for discussion in 21st entury; 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.
“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,” Eholor said.
Austin Taiwo, a motorist conveying yam to Koko junction market along Benin-Warri expressway in Delta State, expressed displeasure over the neglect of the road and urged governments at all levels to urgently repair it.
Also, residents lamented the bad state of the road, which, according to them, has disconnected communities in Edo and Delta States.
They said the protest is a wake-up call on relevant authorities to remedy the situation.
