Truck drivers on Friday blocked the River Niger Bridge in Onitsha, Anambra State to protest the tax imposed by the state government.
The drivers accused the state government of imposing a tax on trailers, lorries, trucks, and other vehicles bringing goods into Anambra.
The protest began in the early hours of Friday and caused a complete blockade of the bridge as well as the Enugu-Onitsha, Onitsha- Owerri expressway.
Also affected were all the roads that lead into and exit Anambra through Onitsha, which had rendered commuters stranded and forced some people to resort to trekking.
The drivers said the state government was collecting a levy of N30,000 for trailers loading and unloading goods in the state, while other vehicles were made to pay amounts ranging from N20,000 to N25,000.
A driver, identified as Odion Omoroge, who spoke on behalf of the aggrieved members, expressed surprise about the levy, describing the action by the government “as the worst the people of the state will see.”
He said, “Violence about the collection of money by the government revenue collectors is being witnessed daily in Anambra state, particularly in Onitsha. Violence is more pronounced now than ever before, yet the same government said it does not want touts, yet touts are having a field day on the roads on a daily basis.”
The police deployed their men to maintain law and order, but the aggrieved drivers were undaunted even as commuters battled to pass through the roads.
