OVER 100 truck drivers stormed the roads on a peaceful demonstration demanding for a reverse of increase in the market levy at the Linus Edeh memorial Timber Shade Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.

The Chairman of Drivers Delivery Association, Timber Shade, Mr Ogbonna Nkwede said that the protest was a way to register their grievances and appealed for Governor Francis Nwifuru?s intervention to reverse the revenue hike.

Ogbonna, who threatened an indefinite strike action if the market leaders refused to reverse the revenue increase, saying that one of the timber shade levies, which was N500 was increased to N3,000 for 608 tricycles, and other vehicles operating in the market.

The Secretary of the Truck Driver Association, Mr Joseph Eze, accused the market leaders of destroying their office and chasing all the vehicles away from the park and falling tree where drivers rest during the day and urgedthe Ebonyi state government to intervene and bring permanent peace in the market.

Also in a remark, the General Chairman mini truck operators in Ebonyi state, Mr Everest Nnadi expressed displeasure over the market leadership position, but called on the drivers to remain law abiding as they await government intervention.

The chairman, Linus Edeh Memorial Timber Shade,Comrade Israel Ochishi stated that the upward review and increment in the internal levy is to improve road maintenance in the market, especially this rainy season.

He however denied of chasing the drivers out of the market saying that the demolition of shanties was inline with government directive to create expanded space for smooth running of drivers activities in the market while appealing for dialogue in their next general meeting.

The state Commissioner for Transport and Special project, Prince Emeka Igboke when contacted, condemned the levy increment saying that Ebonyi state government is making efforts to resolve the matter amicablelly. (Vanguard)

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