A number of truck drivers on Sunday staged a protest demonstration in Gombe over alleged extortion, harassment and indiscriminate arrest of members by the Taskforce committee constituted by the state government to enforce the compulsory use of Trailers Parking Bay in the state.
The protest which took place at Rainbow Round About, paralysed movement and commercial activities for many hours on the only road leading to Gombe town from Bauchi, Mile 3/Yola road as well as Kano Western Bye Pass in Gombe metropolis.
While speaking to journalists during the protests, vice Chairman of Heavy Trucks Association in the state, Auwal Abdullahi said they mobilised the drivers to block major roads in the state capital to protest against the harassment and extortion of drivers by the Taskforce.
“We are tired of brazen extortion of our members by the Taskforce which was really disconcerting and unfortunate. As a union, we cannot continue to fold our hands and watch our members, who work day and night, in the rain, cold and sun to make our economy grow to keep suffering like this. We would not take it anymore.” He said
Some of the drivers who spoke with journalists, lamented the incessant extortion and harassment by the Taskforce, saying it’s becoming unbearable.
“One of the drivers, Sani Laja said, the frustration is too much. That is why we mobilised ourselves today to block this roads and we will not move anywhere until justice is done.”
Another driver who identified himself as Sarkin Mota has this to say “I have been in this business for over 12 years but I have never seen injustice like this even in the east. Drivers are extorted between 30,000 and 50,000 for parking in the town. This is very tormenting because our members are losing thousands of Naira in the process.”
Hours after the gridlock started, Alhaji Habu Muazu, an APC chieftain in Gombe and Hon Musa Buba, Member of the Gombe state House of Assembly intervened and reached the truce with the drivers. The road was cleared for free movement at about 4 o’clock in the evening.
