Unity state governor promises better roads and healthcare

October 6, 2013 (BENTIU) – The caretaker governor of South Sudan’s Unity state says there are plans to construct 150 kilometers of roads to connect the state’s nine counties and to improve health care in the oil-rich state.

Governor Joseph Nguen Monytuel told ministers that he held positive to meeting with the national Finance Minister and president Salva Kiir, on his recent visit to Juba, outlining challenges that are facing the oil-rich border state.

Despite Unity state’s rich natural resources it has not seen the development that citizens were hopeful for after the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement ended decades of civil war. Under the deal South Sudan – led by former rebels the SPLM – received half of the regions oil revenue.

Since July 2011, South Sudan has been independent but a dispute over transit fees with neighbouring Sudan meant that the young nation has had to cut its budget drastically. Production resume this year but has not recovered to pre-shutdown levels.

Many Unity state residents complain that the government has failed to provide basic services to the local population.

However, the caretaker governor said on Friday, following his talks with president Kiir, that there will be improvements to Unity state hospital and other primary health care units.

Monytuel said the road building and health care services will be funded through the office of the president and national government. The construction of the news roads will begin by the end of the month, he said.

However, officials in the area told Sudan Tribune that the road construction will be on hold until the rains stop and flooding recedes.

(ST)