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 flooding and gridlock created chaotic scene at the Mararaba section of the road in New Kara LGA of 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.
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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. (NAN)
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