Uyo bus drivers protest “illegal” levy, many allegedly arrested

By Some Ogenyi, Uyo

Economic activities were paralysed in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom, on Tuesday following a peaceful protest by mini-bus drivers over sale of tickets by National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

This is after Governor Udom Emmanuel had outlawed the sale of tickets in a move to cushion the effect of the Coronavirus pandemic on citizens.

But sources say the state government has reversed it’s decision and has announced that the driver’s pay half of the daily levy they used to pay.

Many of them were said to have been allegedly arrested by members of the state Police Anti Robbery Squad.

Major roads such as Ikot Ekpene , Oron, Wellington Bassey Way, Ikpa roads and adjoining streets leading to the plaza were cordoned off to prevent violent escalation of the protest.

Consequently, pasengers heading to the Ibom Plaza, the town centre,were seen trekking long distances as the drivers have withdrawn their services pending resolution of the problem and release of their members allegedly arrested.

A driver, one John Akparawa speaking with Planet FM, Uyo reporter said the drivers were protesting the sales of tickets by NURTW and a task force because the state government has already given them them a tax holiday.

According to him, some policemen accompanied by members of Task Force were seen arresting some protesting drivers while others fled the scene.

The state Commissioner for Transport, Mr Uno Etim Uno is yet to respond to the protest.

Akwa Ibom Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Fredrick Nnudam in a telephone interview said the state Poice Command was aware of the protest by some mini-bus drivers, though he could not confirm any arrest of protesting drivers.

Nnudam however, said, “if they are protesting peacefully, there would be no need to arrest them, but if they were protesting violently to the extent of such affecting public peace, then police have to effect arrest to restore order and sanity in the society.”

The PPRO further stated that more policemen have been mobilized to the plaza area and other parts of the town to forestall a possible hijack of the protest by hoodlums.