By Endurance Ikanone
A long-standing dispute between tipper drivers and sand marketers in Sapele, Delta State, has escalated, with tipper drivers blaming sand marketers for the recent price hike in sand dredging.
Mr. Kelvin Oyema, Chairman of the Union of Tipper and Quarry Employers, Sapele branch, expressed frustration over the fourfold increase in sand prices this year, which has driven the current price to 50,000 naira per tipper-load of sharp sand.
Tipper drivers are forced to sell at an exorbitant rate of 70,000 to 80,000 naira, depending on the distance of delivery, causing hardship for property developers in Sapele and neighboring towns.
Comrade William Otubo, a tipper driver, echoed the chairman's sentiments, stating that truck owners are not the problem, but rather the sand dredging marketers.
Otubo pointed out that tipper drivers in neighboring towns like Jesse and Mosogar sell sand at a significantly lower price of 40,000 to 50,000 naira, making it difficult for their Sapele counterpart to compete. The tipper drivers are urging Hon. Bright Abeke, Chairman of Sapele Local Government Area, to intervene and persuade sand dredging marketers to reduce their prices.
This would encourage more people to develop their properties, boosting the local economy. However, efforts to reach sand dredging marketers for their side of the story were unsuccessful, as calls to their phone numbers went unanswered.
The dispute has sparked concerns among property developers and residents, who are struggling to afford the exorbitant prices, leading to a slowdown in development projects.
As the situation continues, the people of Sapele bear the brunt of the dispute, and a resolution is urgently needed to restore normalcy to the sand price hike.
