Traffic Congestion Impedes Movement at Omega Market Junction

Even though the relocation of sellers from Red Light may be a good decision to enhance roadworks that are ongoing from the Parker Paint Junction to ELWA Junction, the repercussions on commuters from the hinterland and communities extending to the University of Liberia’s Fendell campus are quite devastating. 

People commuting from Monrovia to Kakata, Careysburg and the interior parts of the country could not get to their destinations in time yesterday due to the traffic congestion from the Coca-Cola factory to Fendell. 

Cars, motorbikes, trucks and tricycles were all stuck in huge traffic, thereby interrupting the free movement of residents and market sellers.  The Omega market road is perpendicular to the main highway between Paynesville and Kakata, and the market ground is located about a mile away from the intersection.  

However, vehicles carrying goods to the market ground must turn in and, as narrow as the road leading to the market is, many vehicles going there cannot easily make their way in.  Moreover, the market ground has limited space to accommodate vehicles because it is a swampy area that is not adequately prepared to have a parking lot.

At Red Light, there were many entry points, unlike the Omega market, which is a one-way road from the main highway inward.

The aggrieved market sellers, who are already facing multiple challenges including the lack of warehouses to keep their goods, toilet facilities and places to sell, are also confronted by traffic jams that even hinder their movement as pedestrians. At the same time, those leaving communities near the market and afar are finding it difficult to get to their places of work on time because of the traffic jams.

Joseph Tokpa, a passenger traveling to Kakata to attend to his sick mother, could not get to his destination on time because he spent 5 hours in the traffic. “I have been here since this morning from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.  No way to turn around to go back; everywhere is occupied.”

Tokpa blamed the government for not thinking critically before transitioning the market and not taking into consideration the thousands of people that depend on that road for transportation. 

“Before you make a decision, you should think well. Look, how everywhere is disorganized, especially with the COVID-19 pandemic.” 

Esther Flomo, who sells fabric wax lappas, said since they moved to Omega, they have experienced congestions of both human and vehicular traffic. 

“My dear, since we came here, there has been traffic. No way for cars to turn around because it’s one-way traffic. People coming to buy and people traveling out of Monrovia will use this one road.”

Though there are other challenges that they are facing currently at the market, including warehouses, toilets, and places to sell their goods, Esther said when people go to the market to buy from them, they will be happy. However, as the situation is now, they are not receiving buyers because of the traffic. “People will be afraid to come here to buy from us because of the traffic, therefore, they will have to go to their community markets.”

Jessie Zarpele, a cement seller at the Omega market junction, said, “Our brothers and sisters are suffering, no permanent area to sell. Some people sell bitter balls, others sell raw fish and on top of that, traffic is not moving freely,” he says.

He said the market does not have toilet facilities and, as such, marketers use the back of his container to urinate or defecate. 

“No parking lot. People bring their goods and others going in to buy food have to spend long hours in the traffic,” he added.

Having traveled from Buchanan, Grand Bassa County with her three bags of cassava to sell at the Omega market, Madam Yatta Mulbah felt disappointed.

“Because of the traffic I have not been able to get my bags of cassava from the car to sell,” Madam Mulbah lamented. “No way to even shake your foot. No space for car, motorbike, wheelbarrow men and even human beings.”