Tricycle Operators Protest Sticker Price Hike In Delta State

Commercial tricycle operators in Warri, Delta State, have voiced their opposition to the rise in sticker prices imposed by alleged extortionists posing as government officials. The price hike has sparked a protest that paralyzed transportation within the city.

During the protest, operators ceased all services, preventing passengers from reaching their destinations. As a result, many commuters had no choice but to walk long distances to their intended locations.

The demonstrators carried placards with bold messages, including: “We won’t agree. Touts, pack up and leave,” “Oborevwori, call your people to order. We can’t afford ₦12,000 for a ticket we used to buy for ₦3,000,” and “Touts, stop exploiting us.” They blocked key roads in Warri and surrounding areas, chanting solidarity songs in a show of unity and frustration.

Tricycle drivers are calling for Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to intervene and prevent the issue from escalating into a crisis. One protester, Efevogho, shared his frustration with DAILY POST along Okumagba Avenue, explaining that the fee for a ticket, which previously cost ₦3,000, had now surged to ₦12,000. He questioned how they were expected to cover such a cost when their daily earnings on the roads were already meager.

Another driver, Eguonoghene, echoed the sentiment, urging Governor Oborevwori to take immediate action to alleviate the hardships they are facing at the hands of extortionists.

In response, a group called the Initiative For Social Rights Concerns and Advancement (ISRCA) issued a statement urging the governor to swiftly address the unrest. The group highlighted the operators’ resistance to the sticker price hike, noting that the cost had skyrocketed from ₦3,000 to ₦12,000.

Comrade Derrick Oritsematosan Agberen, National Coordinator of ISRCA, emphasized that the rise in transportation costs is a direct consequence of economic difficulties and poor government policies. He argued that, since the discontinuation of the Delta State Urban Mass Transit Scheme under former Governor Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, the current administration should consider taking decisive action to ensure the price of transportation stickers remains affordable for tricycle drivers and residents alike.

The ISRCA further urged the government to reduce the sticker prices and, by extension, the cost of transportation for residents who depend on tricycles for their daily commute. Agberen noted that the tricycle industry plays a vital role in providing employment and transportation for the people, particularly in a state where job opportunities are scarce.

Call for Government Action
The group stressed that the state government should work directly with tricycle unions to establish a fair and standardized price for stickers. This would help alleviate the financial strain on drivers while ensuring affordable transportation options for the people.

Delta State Government Website