Market women protest on Benin-Lagos highway

– The Uselu/Ugbowo section of the Benin-Lagos highway was blocked by market women protesting on Monday, October 24 – The protesters, under the aegis of Uselu Market Women Association, were resisting the directive to move to lock-up stores built by the council – The women, displaying their placards, blocked both sides of the highway, preventing motorists from continuing with their journey Share on Facebook Share on Twitter File photo: Women protesting in Abuja The Uselu/Ugbowo section of the Benin-Lagos highway was blocked by protesters on Monday, October 24, over plans by Egor local government area of Edo state to relocate traders. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the protesters, under the aegis of Uselu Market Women Association, were resisting the directive to move to lock-up stores built by the council. The women, displaying their placards, blocked both sides of the highway, preventing motorists from continuing with their journey

Police step in as protest against FUTA VC continues Some of the women said the N1.2 million charged for the stalls was too expensive for them, especially given the type of businesses most of them do. The women said their problem was compounded by the action of the local council, which commenced the removal of their make shift shops on Monday. One of the market women, identified as Mrs Celena Okon, described the council’s action ”as an act of wickedness”, in view of the current economic situation in the country. She said: “What am I selling that you will force me to pay over a million naira for a single store? I believe they should consider the worth of our businesses individually. “Where do you expect a woman who sells only crayfish or tomatoes to get such a ridiculous amount of money to pay, when in actual fact most are in dire need of additional funds to grow their businesses.”

Police arrests female Muslims in Kano – IMN Mrs Imade Osifo, another market woman, who described the situation as pathetic, said their decision to barricade the highway was for the world to know what they were going through. At the time of filing the report, several motorists were stranded on the highway while other commuters have resorted to trekking to get to their destination. The women resisted attempts by the police to get them off the road.