Lower Shabelle public vehicle drivers complain about roadblocks

Drivers and owners of public vehicles are expressing concern over illegal roadblocks which are increasing rapidly day after day.

Most of the illegal roadblocks have been mounted in areas between Wanlaweyn and Afgoye towns in southern Somalia.

Some of the drivers operating the road connecting the two towns told Goobjoog News that they always spend a lot of money on illegal roadblocks to save their lives.

“We have lots of problem with these illegal checkpoints in Lower Shabelle region because we cannot afford the amount of money we are forced to pay, the money we pay to each roadblock is 10 US dollars,” said one of the drivers.

Drivers have complained repeatedly about the illegal roadblocks that have been set up by the militias.

The drivers called the federal government to take immediate action of removing the illegal checkpoints in the region.

Armed men with SNA uniform set up roadblocks to embezzle cash from drivers who constantly use the busy main highway connecting the Lower Shabelle region.

According to local sources, more than 10 roadblocks have been set up between the two towns in the Lower Shabelle region.

“The distance between Afgooye and Wanlaweyn is 60Km and there are 9 illegal checkpoints,” said a driver operating between those towns.

The federal government carried out several operations to remove the illegal roadblocks set by the men dressed in military uniform but no change was so far felt according to the owners and the drivers.