Drivers of heavy-duty trucks in Owerri, the capital of Imo State, have blocked major roads to protest government authorities’ seizure of a truck.
The Imo State Environmental Transformation Commission (Entraco), which oversees transport and sanitation activities, was reported to have seized a truck belonging to one of the drivers for one week and insisted on payment of a fine before release. Truck drivers on Tuesday evening started blocking major roads like Control, Port Harcourt Road, World Bank, Amakohia, Concorde junction, and places leading into New Owerri.
A radio-on-air personality, MC Toothpick, took to his Facebook handle to warn people to stay indoors if they had no plans to trek.
He wrote, “Avoid Port Harcourt Road by Concord Junction and World Bank Road by everyday supermarket roundabout. Container drivers just blocked that road because of one of their containers ENTRACO TAX FORCE seized since last week”.
Already, bus drivers have hiked their fares by 70 percent which left commuters stranded.
A source who pleaded anonymity said the Entraco officials had pegged the release of the seized truck at a price the drivers considered exorbitant coupled with their belief that they were being extorted, adding that the road blockage is intended to draw the attention of Governor Hope Uzodimma.
Meanwhile, social media users in the state have taken to their handles to appeal for speedy resolution of the issue and opening of the roads.
