Rural Communities in Jonglei Struggle Without Healthcare, Clean Water, and Schools, SPLM Official Warns

By Jenifer James

Rural communities in Jonglei State are grappling with significant shortages of essential public services. Limited access to healthcare, clean drinking water, and education has left residents struggling to meet their basic needs, according to Josephine Napwon Cosmos, Chairperson of the SPLM High-Level Committee for Jonglei State.

Josephine has expressed deep concerns about the lack of basic services in these communities and has urged government leaders to prioritize healthcare, clean water, and education.

After returning from Uror County, Josephine spoke to the media on Wednesday, highlighting the serious challenges faced by communities in the counties visited by the committee due to inadequate public services.

“We went there not just to conduct primary selections but also to assess the conditions of our people. It’s clear that people are suffering. Everywhere I go, I see this suffering,” she stated.

She noted that many communities lack healthcare facilities, access to clean drinking water, and schools, which leaves residents—especially children—vulnerable to harsh living conditions.

“There is no health care, no water, no education. There are many children, but no educational opportunities. It is crucial for the government to focus on grassroots development because our people at the grassroots are truly suffering,” Josephine emphasized.

She urged political leaders seeking public support to ensure that communities receive essential services, rather than only approaching them during election seasons.

“As you seek votes from them, please return their services. We should not exploit our people by taking their votes and then neglecting to provide services afterward,” Josephine said.

She stressed the importance of leaders addressing the daily challenges faced by communities, advocating for government development efforts to focus on improving living conditions at the grassroots level.

Josephine also mentioned that the committee had completed its activities in Bor South, Twic East, Uror, Fangak, Ayod, and Duk counties, with three counties still remaining.

Meanwhile, Helen Denya Marko, Chairperson of the SPLM Western Zone Subcommittee, announced that the committee had successfully completed party congresses and primary elections in Ayod County after a two-day exercise.