Motorists plying Ogba, Agege and Wempco roads in Lagos were left stranded for hours on Monday after a brief rainfall triggered massive flooding and gridlock at the busy junction linking the three communities.
We observed that the flood, which residents say is a yearly curse, spread to Wempco Road, Oba Ogunji Road and the entire Ogba axis, forcing vehicles to wade through water and causing several to break down mid-road.
A motorist heading to OPIC on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Sodiq Afolabi, said he spent close to two hours in traffic for a journey that should have taken minutes.
> “I blame myself for taking this route. I have spent close to two hours here. People are wasting valuable hours because water has taken over the road,” he lamented.
Another resident, Sanya Adeolu, said the community has lived with the problem for years.
> “We are used to this. Whenever it rains, you must prepare for traffic because water takes over the road. Sometimes water enters your engine and damages your vehicle. It is not just traffic, it is money spent on repairs and time lost.”
Funsho Oyeyemi, another motorist, accused the government of fixing roads without fixing the real problem — drainage.
> “The rain did not even last up to 10 minutes, yet the whole place was flooded… Imagine people rushing to work or appointments held up for hours.”
Another resident, Tony, warned that the recurring flood will destroy the road again if drainage is not addressed.
> “Whatever repairs have been done will be affected. Government should look beyond fixing the road and provide a lasting solution.”
Traffic officials had a hectic time controlling vehicles, while some cars remained stranded in the water.
As of press time, Lagos Commissioner for Information Gbenga Omotoso had not responded to calls and messages.
For residents of Ogba-Agege-Wempco, it is the same old story: small rain, big flood, hours in traffic.