On Monday, the nationwide protest extended to the Eleme/Onne section of the East-West Road in Rivers State, as a large crowd of protesters gathered at this crucial section connecting the Port Harcourt refineries. The protesters took over the Akpajo axis of the East-West Road, up to the entrance leading to Indorama Petrochemicals, disrupting vehicular movement.
This major route is vital for connecting Port Harcourt to key business facilities, including the Onne seaport, Port Harcourt refineries, Indorama Petrochemicals, and more than six Local Government Areas in the state. The protesters, who remained peaceful, carried placards expressing their dissatisfaction with the pervasive poverty, hunger, and high cost of food items in the country.
One of the protesters, Walson Idah, highlighted the group’s decision to focus on the East-West Road to express their frustration over “hunger, poverty, and infrastructure deficit” in what should be a viable business area. He emphasized the need for the government to revive the refineries, which have the potential to provide significant employment and empowerment opportunities.
“In spite of the huge economic potentials in the business area, we are unemployed, hungry, and poor. We are not taking any palliatives from politicians,” Idah said. “We need jobs, good roads, affordable electricity, and basic infrastructure.”
The protesters called on the Federal Government to address the high cost of staple foods, which have become unaffordable for many families. They also urged the Federal Government to hold governors accountable for their alleged failure to effectively implement policies using the fuel subsidy intervention funds.