By Monsuru Olowoopejo

LAGOS— As the rainfall persists for several days in Lagos metropolis, business owners, especially traders and commercial transport operators, are experiencing low patronage.

The state government had earlier in the year predicted 263 days of rainfall with severe thunderstorms in the year.

The state has in the last few days experienced persistent rainfall, even as residents joined Muslims all over the world to celebrate the Eid-el-Fitri.

Vanguard gathered that the persistent downpour compelled Muslim faithful to shift their Rakat prayers, originally scheduled for praying grounds, to their respective mosques.

It also forced many residents to spend the two-day public holidays indoors.

Vanguard visited some of the motor parks and markets to ascertain the situation. Some of the markets and motor parks visited were Boundary market, Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government; Ojo market, Ojo Local Government; Agbara market, Olohunda Local Council Development Area, LCDA.

While some of the motor parks were Mile 2, Okoko motor park in Iba Local Council Development Area, LCDA, Ikeja, Iyana-Ipaja in Alimosho Local Government among others.

Mr. Michael Silvanus, a commercial driver lamented: “I got to the park at about 6:00 am today (yesterday), as this has been my practice. But I am yet to embark on my first trip. I had to sleep because there was no passenger for the vehicles who arrived earlier.”

Silvanus added that the rain had failed to stop and that was why “I decided to go home after my first trip. I cannot wait in the park for the passengers that will not come.”

Mr. Wasiu Olanrewaju, a tricycle operator, said he expects more patronage as residents should seize the opportunity of the public holidays to visit their relatives.

According to him, “but the residents chose to celebrate the festival indoors. And this is because the rain has not ceased. Its intermittent style has affected patronage.”

Mrs. Patricia Onuoha, a petty trader, said: “We expect residents to shop for the week but the rain has kept them away from the market. On public holidays, we get more patronage. Residents use such days to shop, but it was not so this time.”