Thousands of motorists were stranded along the Eleme Junction stretch of the East-West Road following a blockade mounted by protesting Eleme youths in the early hours of Monday.
The road is the only route to Port Harcourt Refinery, Onne Ports and Onne Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone, among others, as well as links Rivers to Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.
Some aggrieved youths blocked the economic road in protest of the deplorable state of Alato Bridge on the East-West Road.
A portion of the bridge had on June 16 collapsed, prompting youth leaders in the area to issue 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to fix the bridge or face indefinite blockage of the road.
The closure led to heavy traffic buildup stretching several kilometres as well as restricted movements of travelers commuting outside and inside the state.
Some drivers, who tried to outsmart the protesting youths by bypassing the blockage through the surrounding bushes, had their tyres punctured as punishment.
One of the motorists trapped in the blockage, who simply identified himself as Lene, said he had been stuck in the traffic since 5:50 a.m.
“I left my house early as usual this morning to beat the normal traffic on the road.
“However, since I arrived here my car has been stationed at this particular spot.
“What is more frustrating is that I cannot even drive backward, forward or even pack my car beside the road, and trek home,” he lamented.
Another motorist, Blessing Nwisi said though the youths have the justification to protest, but their action had further increased hardship on the people.
“It is unfortunate that a road as important as Eleme axis of the East-West Road can be this deplorable considering the billions of naira government make here daily.
“I appeal to both Rivers state government and the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency mobilise contractors to site to save us from this hardship,” she pleaded.
