Protesters in Oloje, Oko Olowo, and Zango in the Ilorin East and Ilorin West local government areas of the state expressed dissatisfaction with not being able to recoup money spent on fuel after daily operations. The protests left commuters stranded in Ilorin, the state capital, with a harrowing experience boarding motorcycles and tricycles.
Taye Dhikhrulahi, one of the tricycle operators, stated that they are not even considering turning a profit at this time. He also mentioned how challenging it is to recover the money used to purchase fuel after the operation. He urged the federal government to step in and allow small firms to continue operating, saying that immediate action from the government was required to prevent them from collapsing.
In addition to causing major traffic jams, the demonstration compelled many drivers to locate alternate routes or make a U-turn. Shop owners on the well-known Ibrahim Taiwo road have also been impacted; some have been forced to temporarily close.
In the meantime, to facilitate commuter travel, Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has ordered the prompt deployment of buses to various locations throughout the city. The buses would be free to board, the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) informed Governor Rafiu Ajakaye in a statement.
“The buses are supposed to provide free transportation to the busiest locations. We think this will be useful to anyone attending the SUBEB job placement interviews, especially those in the city, the statement stated.
The governor also urged the people and transporters to be patient over the recent increase in fuel prices, stating that various government stakeholders are closely examining the matter with the welfare of the public at large as their primary concern.”
Reference and Citation
channelstv.com – Tricycle Operators Protest Petrol Hike In Kwara
dailytrust.com – Fuel Hike: Residents Stranded, Businesses Paralysed As Tricycle Riders Protest In Kwara
ait.live – Protest In Kwara State Over Fuel Price Hike
tribuneonlineng.com – Fuel price hike: Tricycle operators stage protest in Kwara
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