Earlier on Monday some commercial drivers operating along the Rumuola–Choba route in Port Harcourt have staged a peaceful protest against what they described as excessive levies imposed by the newly appointed Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Rumuola Branch.
The protest, which began early in the day at the Rumuola SBS Junction, caused temporary traffic disruption as drivers parked their vehicles, asked passengers to disembark, and demanded government intervention.
Speaking to our correspondent, one of the protesting drivers, Mr. James Fortune, explained that the demonstration was not intended to create chaos but to draw public attention to their plight.
“We are here to express our feelings concerning the excess levy. They have mandated drivers to pay one thousand naira for each load, regardless of how many times we load, and that is not acceptable. My call to the government is to look into the affairs of drivers the extortion is too much,” he said.
Also Read: We Must Be Included in the World Digital, AI Revolution- Elumelu
Another commercial driver, who preferred to remain anonymous, appealed to the Rivers State Government to clamp down on touts and illegal revenue collectors who, he said, have made life unbearable for transporters.
“Sir Sim, we know you are a good man. Now that you’re back, please stop the agbero in Rivers State. They’ve finished us here at Rumuola,” he lamented.
Meanwhile, several road users expressed frustration over the gridlock, saying they were forced to trek long distances to reach their destinations.
The drivers vowed to continue their protest until the authorities review what they described as oppressive transport levies.
