Scores of traders at the popular Uwelu spare parts market in Benin on Monday shut down the Ugbowo axis of the Benin-Lagos expressway to protest the deplorable condition of the Uwelu road.
The traders shut their shops at the market to barricade the ever-busy highway, causing gridlock on the only gateway into the ancient city. The development left many passengers stranded, with workers of the University of Benin and the University of Benin Teaching Hospital mostly affected.
Travellers, who had boarded buses from various transport companies, were also trapped in the traffic that lasted several hours. Many commuters had to trek several kilometres to beat the roadblock before getting vehicles to their destinations.
One of the traders, Chinedu, said the deplorable condition of the road had badly affected their businesses, as customers could no longer access the market.
Government officials, he said, had continued to collect revenue from them without any effort…
