THOUSANDS of youths and women, in collaboration with the Edo State chapters of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Civil Society Organisations, yesterday, protested the deplorable state of the Benin-Lagos expressroad and the Benin-Okene expressroad.

The protest which was co- ordinated by a multi national organisation, One Love Foundation, paralyzed activities in Benin City and the state Government House as the protesters lamented the incessant loss of lives due to accidents at the two express roads and called on the Federal Government to take urgent steps in addressing the problem.

The protesters visited the State House of Assembly and Government House, where they appealed to Governor Adams Oshiomhole to prevail on the Federal Government to reconstruct the Benin-Lagos expressroad and also dualize the Benin-Okene expressroad.

In his address, the President of One Love Foundation, Chief Patrick Eholor stated that "we have flagged off a consistent process to bring the Federal Government and those concerned to pay urgent attention to the total repairs and constant maintenance of the Lagos-Benin expressroad, as against the current situation of makeshift rehabilitation or total neglect.

"This is with the determination to drastically reduce, once and for all, the incessant loss of lives through road accident, armed robbery attacks and loss of property, as a result of the bad state of the roads.

However, our approach is through collective public engagement, along the principle of non-violence agitation which Mahatma Ghandi, Rev. Jesse Jackson and others had effectively adhered to," he said.

He stressed that there was every reason to " be alarmed at the human carnage and the loss of property on the Lagos-Benin express road, in particular.

Or instance, a skeletal data o human casualty by SAVAN, a Benin based para-medical NGO, on the Edo section o the road is very high and most disturbing. But unfortunately, the concerned government officers and our elitist class chose to disregard the deplorable state of the road.

"But we make bold to say that we may resort to continuously picket the Benin airport and subsequently more airports in the Niger Delta, South East and else where in the country I the Lagos-Benin express way and others in the country are not paid attention to.

We urged President Yar'Adua and the Ministers to take a trip on this road and enjoy the comfort" he stated.