Lagos Drivers Stuck in Traffic as Flooding Hits Ogba Area

Heavy traffic was reported around the junction linking Ogba, Agege, and Wempco roads in Lagos on Monday. Rainfall caused flooding in the area, leaving drivers stranded for hours.

PUNCH Metro noticed that the gridlock stretched to Wempco Road, Oba Ogunji Road, and the Ogba area. Drivers struggled to get through the flooded sections.

Reports say this location has faced repeated flooding over the years. Road users are frustrated by the lack of a lasting solution to the problem.

A driver heading to the OPIC end of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Sodiq Afolabi, told our correspondent he spent nearly two hours in traffic.

He said, “I blame myself for taking this route. I am heading to OPIC, and I have spent close to two hours here, whereas I ought to have reached my destination by now.

“I did not expect that rainfall would cause this level of traffic. People are wasting valuable hours on the road because the water has made it difficult for vehicles to move freely. I should have reached my destination by now, but I am still stuck here.”

Another road user, Sanya Adeolu, who lives in the community, described the flooding as a regular occurrence whenever it rains. He also expressed his frustration about the ongoing issue.

He said, “I am a resident in this community, and we are used to this kind of experience. But, sadly, it has continued for years without a lasting solution.

“Whenever it rains, road users have to prepare for traffic because the water takes over the road. Sometimes, the water rises to the point where it enters your engine, and that can damage a vehicle.

“It is not just about the traffic anymore; it is also about the money people spend repairing their vehicles and the time they lose trying to get to their destinations. We should not have to go through this every time it rains.”

Our correspondent saw that some vehicles broke down and got stuck in the flood. This worsened the traffic situation as other drivers struggled to find their way through the affected roads.

Traffic officials had a tough time managing the flow of vehicles around the junction. Another driver, Funsho Oyeyemi, urged the government to fix the ongoing flooding. He noted that past road repairs have not solved the issue.

“I think the government needs to do the needful now. Of course, they have fixed the road, but the flooding is still a major issue here.

“The rain did not even last up to 10 minutes, yet the whole place was flooded, wasting people’s precious time. Imagine people who have appointments or are rushing to work being held up for hours because they cannot pass through a road that has been taken over by water.”

Speaking about the flood's effect on the road, another resident, who identified himself as Tony, said it could weaken and damage it again.

“The same flood will weaken the road again and damage it, meaning that whatever repairs have been done could be affected. If the drainage problem is not properly addressed, we will continue to experience the same thing whenever it rains.

“The government should look beyond fixing the road and provide a lasting solution to the flooding. Otherwise, motorists will continue to suffer, and the road may keep deteriorating.”

The state Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotoso, could not be reached for comment. Calls to his phone went unanswered, and a text message sent to him had not been replied to as of the time this report was filed.