Motorists and commuters along the busy Mararaba to Abuja city centre were stranded on Monday, owing to gridlock caused by floods, aftermath of a heavy downpour.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the flooding and gridlock created chaotic scene at the Mararaba section of the road, in Karu Local Government Area, Nasarawa State.
NAN reports that the rains, which began early hours on Monday morning, overwhelmed the area’s poor drainage system, causing severe flooding that took over the road.
Many vehicles broke down in the floods, as drivers struggled to navigate the deep water, complicating the already severe traffic congestion.
Residents and commuters faced hours of delay while trying to catch commercial vehicles in the midst of the gridlock.
Mr Peter Obi, a resident, said that the situation was made difficult as some commercial bus drivers seized the opportunity to hike fares.
“Every time it rains like this, we face the same problems. The drainage system can’t contain the water, and it always leads to flooding and traffic congestion.
“ Now, with the fare hike, it is just unbearable. The government really needs to do something about this,’’ he said.
Another commuter, Vincent Okonkwo, said transportation fares always increase whenever it rains.
“When there is no rain, I spend about N1, 000 from my house in Ado to Wuse zone 2, where my office is. Now, I am spending about N2, 000 to get to the destination.
“As it is now, the traffic is heavy, and I am not even sure when I will get to the office,” he said.
Another commuter, Miss Blessing Ani, who lived in Masaka and worked in Berger, said she paid extra N1,200 to get to her office
“Right now, with the rain, I am paying N2, 200 instead of the N1, 000 I usually pay to my office,’’ she said.
“This is worrisome because of the economic situation in the country. Some time, I don’t even go to work because of the hike in fare when it rains,” she said.
Ani called on the local government, Nasarawa state and the FCT Administration to come to the aid of millions of residents and commuters in the area.
She also enjoined the management of Young Shall Grow Transportation Company, which frontage is more affected by the flooding, to embark on palliative measure, pending a final solution by the appropriate authority.
Ani said the transport company should see the palliative measure as corporate social responsibility. (NAN)