By Queen Stephanie Ikanone Odiete
As the cost of sand continues to climb in Sapele, two businessmen have stepped forward to challenge the accusations leveled against dredgers, claiming that Tipper drivers are the real masterminds behind the price hikes.
Tony Aniretan a.k.a. Triple Chair, a prominent voice in the Sapele, argues that drivers are exploiting the system for their own financial gain, leaving residents to bear the brunt of inflated prices.
The drivers are the real problem, Hero Asagba said. "Even if you sell the sand at 20,000 naira per tipper, the drivers will still sell to the end users at exorbitant price. If the drivers reduce their price, every one will benefit, he added.
"It's a simple case of greed," Aniretan declared, shaking his head in disappointment. "Dredgers are selling sand at a reasonable 25,000 Naira, with a 5,000 Naira loading fee. But then the drivers turn around and sell it for 60,000 to 65,000 Naira! They're more than doubling their money on the backs of hardworking people trying to build homes and businesses."
Aniretan dismissed the drivers' claims that they are merely passing on increased costs from the dredgers. "That's nonsense", he countered. "They can easily sell at 50,000 Naira and still make a healthy profit. The problem is, they want to squeeze every last Naira out of the market. They don't even give the tipper owners their fair share. Some drivers buy at 25,000 Naira, sell at 65,000 Naira, and tell the owner they sold for 55,000 Naira. It's daylight robbery."
Aniretan went on to criticize the driver's union for what he perceives as a lack of transparency and accountability. "They operate like a cartel, dictating prices and controlling the market. If a driver tries to offer a fairer price, the union will punish them. They've even been known to boycott sand beaches that refuse to play their game."
Aniretan recalled a previous attempt by the Sapele Okpe Community to mediate a solution. "The community proposed that dredgers sell at 25,000 Naira, and the drivers sell at 55,000 Naira – a fair compromise. But the drivers refused, stormed out of the meeting, and continued selling at their inflated prices."
He believes the key to resolving the crisis lies in empowering tipper owners. "The owners need to take charge and negotiate directly with the dredgers," Aniretan urged. "Cut out the middlemen – the drivers are clearly more interested in filling their own pockets than serving the community. Until that happens, the people of Sapele will continue to be held hostage by this unfair and unsustainable system."