The Edo Civil Society Organisations on Thursday blocked a section of the Benin/Lagos highway in protest against the removal of fuel subsidy which has led to an increase in the pump price of fuel.
The protest, which was at different locations in the state, obstructed vehicular movements with commuters trekking long distances to their destinations.
They called for the reversal of the subsidy removal, lamenting that Nigerians were already confronted with lots of challenges and an increment to fuel prices would further subject them to hardship and possibly push many to premature death.
Displaying placards with inscriptions like, “Nigerians can’t buy petrol at N520; we can’t buy petrol at N520 but N210; Petrol must be N210 till the end of July,” the protesters said they would continue till the government finds a lasting solution to their demand.
Speaking with newsmen in Benin, former coordinator of EDOCSO, Omobude Agho, said the essence of the protest was to get the attention of President Bola Tinubu so he can reconsider the decision to do away with subsidy and put things in place to relieve the plight of the masses.
He said, “We are protesting because of the increase in petrol pump price which started on Wednesday. It is sad that the president will make a pronouncement on subsidy and the marketers will move the price from N210 to over N500. We were shocked to see that even NNPC Limited fixed the price for or over N500 as the pump price. So, we feel this is a plan to kill Nigerians and send us to our early graves.
“If we sit down, fold our hands and let it continue, only God knows what policy they will come up with tomorrow. What we are doing is just a test, we have not actually started. If by tomorrow (Friday), we do not hear any good news, then we will intensify the protest.
“We are localising the protest. This means it is happening in different areas and not in one axis. It is currently ongoing in places like Uselu Shell, Ologbo, Siluko and Agbor Park. By tomorrow, more areas will be activated,” Agho said.