Motorists, traders protest hike in pump price, scarcity of new naira notes in Enugu

COSMAS CHUKWU , Enugu  

As at midmorning through the forenoon, activities of residents and commuters within the Enugu metropolis got shuddered and stalled as myriads of young men, mostly tricycle operators took to the streets, chanting slogans and blocking street corners and junctions.

The protesters demanded among other things, the sale of fuel at the controlled price of N185 per litre as against the prevalent prices of N370, N390 and N420 sold by independent marketers.

They charged petrol station operators to come down to the controlled price or shut their operations.

Only Pinnacle petroleum and some other major marketers are selling at a controlled price.

The protest, which took off from the Holy Ghost Cathedral cum Ogbete Main Market area, surged through the major streets, stopping vehicular movements, discharging passengers, shutting filling stations and causing road blocks at major intersections and junctions.

At the Mayor Hotel market area of Agbani Road, the protesters repeated their acts even in front of the Police Mobile Force barracks, before heading down to the One Day Road junction.

At the junction, they immediately shut the operations of four filling stations as well as the tricycle park, before blocking the ever-busy junction.

After holding the area for some time, they then moved to the Afor Awkunanaw Motor Park/Market area.

They succeeded in shutting down the area before the soldiers of the 103 battalions were drafted to disperse a surging crowd of protesters.

The soldiers later moved up to One Day junction and dispersed the protesters, before heading into town.

However, the protesters still returned around 4.30 pm to one filling station that had reopened and forced them to stop sales.

As of now, the government has not said anything.

There has been no report of fatalities or arrests.

For a better society

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