By Nanji Nandang
Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State, North Central Nigeria, has reiterated the position of his administration not to allow drivers of Articulated Vehicles to ply the Minna – Bida Road saying it is owned by the state government.
The Governor stated this in a statement on Saturday, while reacting to protests by tanker drivers who blocked some roads around Bida town, to protest the continued neglect of major highways linking the Northern and South Western parts of the country.
The Drivers of Articulated Vehicles were asking the state government to allow them use the Minna-Bida Road.
“The decision of the Tanker Drivers to block access to the road is unlawful, such action will not intimidate the state government into allowing them to use the Minna-Bida Road which is a state-owned road,” the statement said.
The Governor noted that, although the tanker drivers have the right to peaceful protest as a group, their action has greatly infringed on the rights of other commuters, describing it as very unfortunate.
Mr. Bello called for calm amidst untold hardship caused to innocent and law-abiding citizens, assuring that the state government is liaising with the Federal Controller of Works in the state to urgently repair the failed portions of the road.
The Governor cautioned the drivers to desist from taking laws into their hands and “channel their grievances to the appropriate authorities stressing that embracing amicable resolution of the issue is more civil than subjecting or holding other citizens to ransom.”
