Scores of traders at the popular Uwelu spare parts market in Benin on Monday shut down the Ugbowo axis of the Benin-Lagos expressway to protest the deplorable condition of the Uwelu road.

The traders shut their shops at the market to barricade the ever-busy highway, causing gridlock on the only gateway into the ancient city. The development left many passengers stranded, with workers of the University of Benin and the University of Benin Teaching Hospital mostly affected.

Travellers, who had boarded buses from various transport companies, were also trapped in the traffic that lasted several hours. Many commuters had to trek several kilometres to beat the roadblock before getting vehicles to their destinations.

One of the traders, Chinedu, said the deplorable condition of the road had badly affected their businesses, as customers could no longer access the market.

Government officials, he said, had continued to collect revenue from them without any effort to address the deplorable situation.

“Many of our members no longer come to the market as the road has completely cut us off and customers no longer come to patronise us. The most annoying part of it is that while we cannot do business in the market, government agents come to the market every day to collect revenue,” he said.

A commuter, Sarah Simas, said she trekked to Uselu market from 5-Junction, a distance of about six kilometres, due to the gridlock.

The protesters vowed to sustain the protest until relevant government agencies addressed their plight. 

(NAN)