By Kei Emmanuel Duku
Traditional leaders from Wonduruba community in Central Equatoria State, cry over persistent suffering of patients due to the lack of ambulance services.
This deficiency prevents timely transportation of patients, particularly pregnant and expectant mothers, to better health facilities for specialized attention and emergency care.
The community leaders voiced their concerns over the weekend during a visit to the new Governor of Central Equatoria State, Lt. Gen. Rabi Mujung Emmanuel.
The leaders stated that residents of the Wonduruba Administrative Area continue to face challenges due to a poor road network, which hampers community members from accessing critical, life-saving healthcare services. They also identified a lack of educational infrastructure within the administrative area as a major obstacle to the human capital development of the local population.
According to the leaders, insecurity poses another significant threat to Wonduruba natives. They attributed insecurity cases to the influx of cattle herders, mainly from Jonglei State, and called for state intervention to address encroachment from armed cattle herders from Bor.
The Wonduruba Administrative Area, located west of Central Equatoria State, South Sudan, has historically faced significant challenges in development and service provision. Following years of conflict, many rural areas in South Sudan, including Wonduruba, struggle with rudimentary infrastructure, limited access to essential services like healthcare and education, and on-going issues of insecurity. The presence of armed cattle herders in agricultural lands is a recurring problem, often leading to displacement and conflict with settled communities. Efforts to rebuild and provide basic services are often hampered by resource scarcity and the vast geographical distances within the state.
While responding to the concerns highlighted, Central Equatoria Governor Mujung acknowledged most of the challenges shared. He noted that the concerns would inform the State Government’s planning and policy direction.
He urged the people of Wonduruba to work closely with the government in promoting peace, unity, and stability. The Governor further pledged to address some of the issues raised, including the urgent matter of armed cattle herders.
The community delegation was led by Wonduruba Paramount Chief Noel Laila and Payam Administrator Stephen Towongo. Also present during the visit were Members of Parliament, state government officials, chiefs, religious and Boma leaders, as well as youth and women representatives.