South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Awan Achiek
The Apuk community in Gogrial East County, Warrap State, has launched a self-help initiative to rehabilitate the important road that connects the towns of Luonyaker and Lietnhom.
In October last year, the road linking Luonyaker and Lietnhom was severely impacted by persistent downpours, plunging the community into crisis.
The flooding rendered the road nearly impassable, cutting off access to essential services and the county administration.
Professor Jok Madut Jok, a prominent political analyst and professor of anthropology at Syracuse University in the United States, presented a detailed, community-driven rehabilitation plan during a meeting held in Juba on Saturday.
“The aim is to discuss a self-help initiative in the Apuk community regarding the road from Luonyaker to Lietnhom,” Madut told SSBC on Saturday.
He stated that the road has become an obstacle for the community in terms of access to the market, security-related issues, trade, and health services.
“So, we said, since it looks like it’s going to take a long time before the government repairs this road, perhaps we should start on our own with whatever little we can do,” Madut said.
“We can put in our efforts, both financial and physical, and hopefully down the line the government will catch up with us.”
He emphasised that the community cannot remain stagnant due to a lack of road infrastructure, adding, “We have to take our own initiative, our own efforts. It is very crucial.”
For her part, Yar Paul Kuol, Chairperson of the Apuk community in Juba, stated that the road is vital for linking Gogrial East to Wau and Kuajok headquarters.
“We want to start as a community, and the MPs are also playing their roles, as is the commissioner,” Kuol said.
“We will take this up with the state government, but we are doing our part because our contribution matters.”
Mou Ambrose Riny, Deputy Chairperson of the Apuk Community in Juba, said the road connects Warrap State to neighbouring communities in Mayom County, Unity State.
“This road is very important because it is a security road. We are connected with neighbouring communities in Mayom County in Unity State,” said Ambrose.
He noted that the floods had cut off the county headquarters from the state capital for eight months.
“It is also very important because it serves as a means of bringing services to the people, especially regarding health provision, as the county headquarters has been cut off for eight months.”
