By Hou Akot Hou
The Governor of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, Charles Madut Akol, conducted an unplanned inspection visit on Sunday to assess the condition of major roads linking Aweil East County with neighbouring Warrap State.
The visit, which was not officially announced in advance, was welcomed by residents who expressed optimism about renewed attention to the area’s poor road infrastructure.
According to reports shared on the official page of the Aweil East County Commissioner, the governor traveled through the Wanyjok–Madhol road and the Madhol–Peth route before proceeding toward Akon, where an international airport is currently under construction.
While addressing residents gathered along the roadside, Governor Madut Akol said his tour was aimed at directly assessing the condition of roads connecting Peth, Wanyjok, and Aweil Town. He thanked the people of Peth for their warm reception and described the turnout as unexpected but encouraging.
During the visit, the governor also reportedly inspected the Tiel-Chuai road, a project initially launched earlier in the year with support linked to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan.
The road, which connects Malual-Baai and Madhol Town, remains incomplete but is seen as vital for improving the transport of goods and movement during the rainy season.
He further made a stop at Madhol Field Hospital, where he toured different units and received a briefing from the facility’s director on its operations.
The hospital, constructed with support from the Government of the United Arab Emirates, serves communities across the region and is staffed by both local and international medical personnel.
The facility continues to provide essential healthcare services despite operational challenges, according to local officials.
There were also reports suggesting that the governor’s movement toward Akon Town—home of President Salva Kiir Mayardit—may have coincided with broader regional preparations to receive an advance delegation led by First Lady Mary Ayen Mayardit ahead of the president’s expected visit to Warrap Town.
The governor’s unplanned tour has been viewed locally as a signal of renewed focus on infrastructure development, particularly road connectivity between key counties and states in the Bahr el Ghazal region.