Market women under the aegis of Uselu Market Women Association, on Monday, protested what they described as “act of wickedness” being perpetuated by the authorities of Egor local government council in Edo State.
The market women blocked the Uselu/Ugbowo section of the Benin-Lagos highway over plans by the local government to relocate them.
The protesters resisted the directive to move to lock-up stores built by the local government. The aggrieved women, displayed placards and blocked both sides of the highway, preventing commuters and motorists from carrying out their daily activities.
The women said the N1.2 million charged for the stalls was too much for them to pay given the type of businesses they do.
The women said their problem was compounded by the action of the local government, which commenced the removal of their local shops on Monday.
All efforts to get reaction from authorities of Egor local government proved abortive, as the council’s Head of Service was said to be unavailable.
When the council’s spokesman, Prisca Ebvadiaro, was contacted, she said she was not authorised to comment on the issue.
See photos below:
