Africa-Press – South-Sudan. The Minister of Information, Communication Technology and Postal Services, Ateny Wek Ateny, has raised fresh hopes among residents of Aweil West County in South Sudan’s Northern Bahr El Ghazal State after pledging to deploy engineers to assess and install telecommunication network towers in some of the county’s most remote payams.
The minister made the commitment on Saturday while addressing a large gathering at a thanksgiving ceremony held in Majak-baai Payam. The event was organised to honour officials from the area recently appointed to senior government positions, including the new state governor and the Commissioner General of the National Revenue Authority.
During the ceremony, several speakers highlighted the severe lack of basic services in the county’s border areas, particularly poor telecommunications coverage. Residents said the absence of mobile network services has left communities unable to report insecurity, especially along the border with Sudan’s Darfur region.
Speaking on behalf of local communities, Executive Chief Garang Diang Biar appealed directly to the minister to relay their concerns to President Salva Kiir.
“As people of Aweil West County living along the border, we face insecurity but have no means of communicating with authorities for rescue,” Garang said. “We lack communication networks, food security, quality schools and health facilities. We ask that these concerns be taken to the President.”
In response, Minister Ateny assured residents that addressing connectivity challenges in remote areas remains a priority for his ministry.
“As I travelled here, I was provided with Starlink internet to use during my stay, and I have now seen the challenges you face firsthand,” Ateny said. “I will ensure that a technical team comes here in January to assess suitable locations for installing telecommunication masts.”
He added that while the government would procure the towers, local communities must provide land free of disputes and guarantee security for engineers during installation.
“We will buy the tower. Your role is to provide land and protect the engineers,” he cautioned. “If a site is identified in Juorbuoc or anywhere else, no one should claim personal ownership of the land.”
The minister further pledged to forward issues of national concern directly to the President through the appropriate channels, while cautioning government officials against sharing unverified information outside established procedures.
While residents welcomed the promise, some expressed cautious optimism, noting that similar pledges by past leaders are yet to materialise. For communities in Aweil West, the coming months will determine whether this latest assurance translates into lasting connectivity and improved security.
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