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IJEBU-ODE, OGUN STATE – The Ijebu-Ode–Mojoda–Epe Road became a scene of public fury Saturday morning. Angry Ogun State residents poured onto the highway, completely blocking it to protest newly imposed Ogun toll charges by the state government. The demonstration, which ignited along the Fari Expressway, quickly spread towards Mojoda in Epe, Lagos, bringing the usually thrumming highway to a standstill.
Chanting protest songs and waving placards, demonstrators erected barricades using tires and wooden planks. This left hundreds of commuters and motorists trapped in a massive gridlock for hours. Protesters passionately condemned what they termed “insensitive policies” by the state government, making their opposition to the Ogun toll charges clear.
“How Much Are We Making?”: Transport Workers Hit Hard by Ogun Toll Charges
The frustration was palpable among those caught in the snarl. One trailer driver, visibly distressed by the sharp hike in toll fees, shared his plight: “I paid N3,000 just this early morning. How much are we making that they want to collect everything from us?” His lament echoed the sentiments of many commercial drivers and logistics workers. They argue the new Ogun toll charges are a crippling blow to their businesses, especially with fuel prices and inflation already biting hard. Many fear these additional costs could drive smaller transport operators out of business entirely, further fueling unemployment in the area.
A Stand for Survival: Citizens Demand Answers on Ogun Toll Charges
Chris Emeka, a commercial driver heading to the East, willingly paused his journey to join the protest. “These people should stop extorting the poor citizens of Nigeria who are struggling to survive on our daily basis,” he told National Scoop, his words reflecting a deep-seated anger. The protest is more than just about tolls; it mirrors wider public frustration over governance issues and persistent economic hardship. Many residents accuse officials of using these toll collections as an exploitative revenue stream rather than a means for genuine infrastructure development. As traffic remained gridlocked well into the afternoon, the unified demand from the protesters was clear: an immediate suspension of the new Ogun toll charges and a thorough review of their implementation.
By Kayode Ojo
