By Hou Akot Hou
Authorities in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State are urging the local population to utilize the newly rebuilt 14km road as means of improving their livelihoods and promoting development.
Addressing hundreds of residents at Ayai Payam in Aweil South County on Wednesday, Dominic Kang Deng, Minister of Physical Infrastructure, who spoke on behalf of the Ministry of Roads and Bridges, outlined the positive impacts that the 14 km road will have on the people of Ayai and the surrounding areas.
Minister Kang acknowledged challenges faced by the local community, which include difficulties experienced by expectant mothers, the elderly, and ill persons who struggle to access services in towns like Aweil and Malek-Alel, the county headquarters.
“It is a pleasure that we have got a road that is fully rebuilt by the resources of the community and with funding from EU through WFP,” said Kang.
He emphasized that for the road to have a long lifespan, it requires the commitment of chiefs, youth, and all community members to maintain it, preventing damage caused by individuals who may excavate materials for personal use.
“As many people have spoken before for the extension of the road renovation in low-lying areas such as those connecting Aweil East county,it would imperative if WFP can help in doing a lot to reconnect other far-flung areas so that they access goods in the markets of Aweil South and Aweil East,” he emphasized.
Kang urged the people of Aweil South to take responsibility for maintaining the road, noting that his ministry’s engineers will monitor its condition for long-term viability to support the communities in and around Ayai.
For his part, Chief Ayom Akol Wek revealed that many deaths have occurred in the past due to complications arising from poor road conditions, which threaten the livelihoods of local residents.
“Many deaths have occurred here, and with this road, people will be bringing goods and services will be accessed in towns and all we need is to maintain it well, other people may take marram for their use when it is flooded. Never should that happen,” he noted.
Governor Simon Ober Mawut pledged that his administration will work on improving road connectivity in the counties, starting with the renovation of the Aweil East highway, which is currently being undertaken by locally contracted companies.
“We are working on making sure that services go to the people deep in the village. I want you to take it into consideration that we are economically impacted and all we need is patience as we work around fixing all developmental issues which don’t only affect you but the entire state and the nation at large,” Ober urged.
“Services will be accessed as the market will be filled with goods by the local traders from other parts of the state and the county on the market day and people will be getting goods at affordable prices as disconnect won’t happen like before,” he noted.
Ober also emphasized the importance of sending all children to school, as they will be the future leaders capable of addressing community concerns.
He reiterated that the government’s priorities are multifaceted, addressing issues ranging from food insecurity to security, which the national government is tackling.
He encouraged local farmers to diversify their farming methods, moving beyond traditional practices.
The road renovation project was funded by the European Union Trust Fund, through the World Food Programme, and is being implemented by For Africa Organization.