By Abdullahi Lukman
Heavy flooding along Ikorodu Road in Lagos State on Monday caused severe traffic gridlock, leaving motorists and commuters stranded for hours.
The downpour led to waterlogging from Anthony to the Odo-Iyalaro Bridge stretch, forcing some motorists to abandon their vehicles and many commuters to walk long distances as traffic ground to a halt.
Eyewitnesses blamed the flooding on poor drainage systems worsened by recent road construction. Edith, an affected motorist, said the water could not flow through blocked drains, causing dangerous flooding that nearly submerged vehicles.
Commuters like Samuel and student Oluwatobi Salami reported having to abandon buses and trek due to the standstill.
Efforts by LASTMA officers to manage the situation and facilitate water flow were ineffective, contributing to the chaos. Traffic remained heavily congested at the time of reporting.
This incident follows similar flooding events in Lagos earlier this year, including major waterlogging on Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, Agege, and Marina, which raised questions about the state government’s flood control measures.
Residents in nearby Ikorodu communities such as Oko Ope and Anjorin also suffered from flash floods recently, with homes and streets submerged, prompting widespread calls for urgent assistance.
The Ministry of Environment and Water Resources did not respond to requests for comment.
