Motorists and residents in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of Nigeria were severely impacted by flooding along the Mararaba to Abuja city centre route. Following heavy rainfall, the area’s inadequate drainage system became overwhelmed, resulting in extensive flooding that submerged the road and caused multiple vehicles to break down.
This situation led to significant traffic delays, with commuters stranded in gridlock for hours. In addition to the delays, transportation costs surged, with many commuters forced to pay double or more than their usual fares. For instance, fares from Ado to Wuse zone 2 reportedly increased from ₦1,000 to ₦2,000, while fares from Masaka to Berger rose from ₦1,000 to ₦2,200.
Residents expressed their frustration over the recurring issue, urging local and state governments to address the poor drainage infrastructure and find a long-term solution. Additionally, there are calls for private companies, like the Young Shall Grow Transportation Company, to implement temporary measures to alleviate the flooding as part of their corporate social responsibility.
This incident underscores the broader challenges faced by residents in the region during the rainy season, which are exacerbating existing economic difficulties.