Motorists and commuters experienced severe hardship on Monday morning when the Mararaba-FCT road was overtaken by floods, causing massive traffic jams. The heavy rains, which began early in the morning, overwhelmed the already poor drainage system in New Karu, Nasarawa State, resulting in severe flooding that completely submerged the road.
The flooding led to chaos as many vehicles broke down in the deep water. Drivers struggled to navigate the flooded road, further complicating the already severe traffic congestion. Residents and commuters faced hours of delay, with many struggling to catch buses or taxis in the gridlock.
Peter Obi, a local resident, expressed his frustration, stating that this has become a recurring issue whenever it rains. “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.
Vincent Okonkwo, another commuter, shared that the cost of transportation always increases during the 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 lamented.
Miss Blessing Ani, who lives in Masaka and works at Berger, echoed similar concerns. She mentioned that she had to pay an extra N1,200 just to get to her office, a significant increase from her usual fare. “Right now, with the rain, I am paying N2,200 instead of the N1,000 I usually pay to my office,” she explained. The increased fares are particularly troubling given the economic situation in the country. “Sometimes, I don’t even go to work because of the hike in fare when it rains,” Ani added.
She called on the local government, Nasarawa State, and the FCT Administration to address the challenges faced by the millions of residents and commuters in the area. Ani also urged the management of Young Shall Grow Transportation Company, whose area is more affected by the flooding, to implement temporary solutions until a permanent fix is provided by the authorities.
The ongoing flooding and traffic chaos on the Mararaba-FCT road highlight the urgent need for improved infrastructure and better planning to prevent such disruptions, especially during the rainy season.
