By Peter Kuol Kuch
The Pregnant women in Bor town are increasingly fearful for their health and the safety of their unborn children due to severely damaged roads that would make it difficult to access maternal health services.
An expectant mother, Mary Akeer complained that most road networks connecting residential areas were riddled with potholes, making travel unsafe, especially for expectant mothers heading to markets or the main hospital.
“When you ride a Raksha or Boda-boda to town, it shakes a lot. It’s not healthy for our babies. We worry our pregnancies might not be safe due to all the bumping and potholes. Even when the baby is safe, we still feel very uncomfortable that day.” Akeer said.
Mary added that midwives had advised pregnant women to avoid traveling on motorcycles or tricycles through these damaged roads for the safety of their unborn babies.
Currently, four major roads linking the town’s center with residential blocks are in critical poor condition.
However, People with disabilities were also bearing the brunt of this situation, with many forced to abandon their wheelchairs and tricycles.
Grace Kuei, who is physically impaired, said she had fallen several times while using her tricycle on the town’s roads.
“The town can’t fall apart under your watch. These women you see struggling on the roads are your sisters and your brothers’ wives” she said.
“The children they lose due to poor roads could be the future generation. Bor is rich. There are resources here. Use the revenues to fix our roads.” Grace stated.
Grace said many of her peers with disabilities had stopped leaving their homes entirely due to the poor road conditions.
These roads are riddled with potholes and rough surfaces, making transportation difficult especially on Boda-boda and Raksha.
Additionally, for pregnant women, the situation is more than just uncomfortable but it’s dangerous.
Meanwhile, Kenya Mach, a women’s leader from the Jonglei State Women’s Association, is calling for urgent intervention.
“Many women in Jonglei are involved in small businesses and income-generating activities. Good road access is essential for safe travel and economic empowerment.” She stressed.
Meanwhile Civil society activist Bol Deng Bol, Chairperson of the Jonglei Civil Society Network, also criticized the government for failing to address the issue.
“This road doesn’t require huge funds to rehabilitate. Taxes are collected here, but no one wants to use them for road repairs.” He said.
Bol called for urgent road repairs not only in Bor Town but throughout the state to facilitate services and boost local businesses.
On other hand, the Mayor of Bor Municipal Council, Hon. Jacob Achiek, admitted that the roads were in poor condition and assured the public that rehabilitation would begin soon.
“I’m doing my best. I just returned from the market where I spoke with shopkeepers. With their support, we’ll start renovating parts of the road. The delay was due to rainwater, but now that the water has receded, work will begin in the next one or two days.” Achieved said.
According to Bor State Hospital, the maternity ward records between 40 to 50 cases of miscarriage every month.
While many cases were linked to malaria and physical strain during pregnancy, doctors also warned against the risks of traveling on rough roads.
Midwives urged expectant mothers to minimize movement on Boda-bodas and Rakshas, especially along damaged routes.
Jonglei State’s boasts of over £400,000 a month in income tax from humanitarian workers and local business taxes yet development projects like road rehabilitation remain stalled.
This has left the pregnant women and persons with disabilities in Bor Town and the entire state in danger.