Vehicular and human movements were disrupted on Tuesday after heavy flooding submerged the Tomline section of Lagos Road in Benin City, Edo State, following a prolonged downpour.
The rain, which began around midday, caused severe gridlock as motorists were forced to make use of only one lane of the four-lane road leading to the Uselu and University of Benin axis.
Some motorists turned back for fear that their vehicles could break down in the flooded area, while commercial bus drivers struggled through the deluge in a bid to continue their daily operations.
Many business premises around the area were also shut, with owners seen standing helplessly outside their shops as floodwaters took over the road.
A trader who identified himself simply as John described the recurring flooding as an embarrassment and a major setback to businesses in the area.
According to him, relocating remains the best option, but the harsh economic situation has made it difficult for many business owners.
He appealed to Governor Monday Okpebholo to extend the ongoing road rehabilitation projects to the affected axis.
“It has become a yearly problem. It affects our businesses seriously, and we can only hope that the governor will also look into repairing this road just like he is doing on Sapele Road,” he said.
A commercial bus driver, Rueben Osas, said he had no option but to continue working despite the risks posed by the flood.
“There is nothing we can do other than continue our work and hope that our vehicles do not break down.
“However, the state government can help fix the road so that this yearly flooding in the area will become a thing of the past,” he added.
