Protest Halts Movement On Lagos/ Benin Highway

By Ayodele Oni

Despite warning by Ondo state pice command against any form of protest in the state, some residents in Ore on Tuesday staged a peaceful demonstration along Ore-Benin expressway against the scarcity of naira notes and fuel  ravaging the nation.

The police command had on Monday met with stakeholders including representatives of students, bankers and petroleum marketers on the need to allow peace to reign.

Tuesday’s protest, which caused gridlock along the ever busy highway, leading to the eastern part of the country, made travellers plying the route stranded.

Some of the protesters claimed that the recent hardship ravaging the country due to scarcity of naira notes and fuel is becoming unbearable.

“We are protesting to send a message to the government, that we the masses are suffering.”

Investigation reveals that some banks have started disbursing the new naira notes on counter but with a zeal.

Every customer is paid two thousand naira, despite their request, with the banks insisting that the measure is to ensure that the few notes go round.

Also, despite warning that petrol should not sell more than N195 per litre, many filling stations in Ondo and Ekiti are still dispensing at between N400 and N450 per litre.