Angry commercial tricycle operators otherwise known as kekeriders have threatened to block the popular Udu Bridge in Udu Council Area of Delta State, over alleged extortions by touts in the area by Monday, July 17.

The scores of tricycle operators who staged a warning protest at Orhuwhorun Junction, near Jigbale Market, yesterday, accused the Delta State Government and Udu Council Chairman, Jite Brown, of imposing outrageous levies on them.

The protesters bore placards with inscriptions such as, ‘Say No to illegal parking task force,’ ‘Say No to Agbero task force wrong parking,’ and ‘Go to work.’

Speaking with newsmen, one of the protesting keke riders identified as Anthony Igbebe, said the protest was a warning to the Delta State Government to come address the issues of illegal levies.

He said failure to do so would result in the lockdown of Udu bridge, a major access route for residents of Warri, Effurun, Udu and its environs on Monday.

“By the time 10,000 workers are affected by Monday, our Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, will come here,” Igbebe said.

Igbebe also called for the expansion of Udu Road to enable vehicle owners, especially tricycle and motorcycle operators, to park conveniently in order to avert harassment and extortion from the area boys.

Also speaking, Azubuike Alu, decried incessant molestations from the touts, adding that the Udu Local Government authority and State Government are not being “fair” to them.

Chairman of the state branch of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Peter Edariese, called on the protesters to be law-abiding and desist from the destruction of any properties in the area.(The Nation)