The condition of the Ekpoma-Auchi expressway in Edo state has gone from good to worse and it has caused residents and Indigenes of the villages around that axis untold problems using the roads. This is not to talk about the travails of other road users like bus drivers carrying passengers, and trailer passengers conveying foodstuffs and other items from one end of the country to the other, the roads have become unnavigable.
A group called the Esan Liberation Movement and residents of Ekpoma who have apparently been neglected by their state government, converged on the Ekpoma expressway, blocking vehicular movement on the road.
Recall that earlier in the week, Truthlive.net reported that members of the ELM and residents blocked the Ekpoma road and stated clearly that they were not leaving the road until their requests for immediate repairs on the roads were granted, the ELM members kept to their words.
In a new video that was sent to Truthlive.net by the group, the spokesman stated their grievances and why they resorted to blocking the road even when they know it will impede vehicular and business progress in the area.
The spokesman said, “On Monday last week, we sent a letter to the leader of the senatorial district, the senator representing the five local government areas that makeup Esanland in the National assembly, who by extension, is the vice chairman on works.
“We have also sent a letter to the governor of Edo state, a copy of that letter to the Federal Ministry of works and housing, AA copy of that letter to the minister of budget and national planning, Clem Agba, the senator representing Edo South senatorial district, Mathew Irhoghide, by extension again is the chairman of public accounts.
“We do not understand why Edo state will have all these cardinal people that can strike the change we need, why are they quiet about it? We need an explanation.
“We sent this letter to them, for one week, nobody replied to us. So we told them after the expiration of that one week, if nothing is done, we are going to converge here.”
The spokesman added that the senators mentioned and the Edo state governor Godwin Obaseki is aware of the peaceful protest being done by the residents but they are yet to respond. He however noted that they will continue to stay on the roads until they see workmen and their machines, ready to work on the road.
He appealed to affected road users and business owners around that axis to please bear with them as the action is for the betterment of the people and area.
There is also a viral video where it alleged that Senator Odia sent men of the Nigeria Army to disperse the protesting Esan youths who were going about their peaceful protest.
When our correspondent spoke with senator Clifford Odia to confirm the allegation of sending soldiers to chase away the protesting you, he denied it and said he neither has any access to any military authority nor is in Edo State at the moment.
“I did not send any soldiers to chase away the people going about their peaceful protest as I have no access to the military as a senator of the federal republic, As a matter of fact, I am speaking with you right now from Abuja and I am not in anywhere close to Edo Edo State, the Senator representing Edo central explained.
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