Eastern Equatoria State’s Kapoeta North community has hailed a road connection project for the relative peace and free movement of people between the counties.
The Asset Creation and Livelihood Project, implemented by the UN World Food Program and its partners, seeks to restore arable land for agricultural activities, multi-purpose infrastructure and the construction of roads and natural resources management, involving the growing of different fruit trees.
The Kapoeta North community hailed the construction of the road connecting Budi and Kapoeta North County, which was inaugurated in October by Governor Louis Lobong Lojore, noting that no major security incidences had been reported between them.
Mariano Lorikadai said the road had eased the movement of people transporting the sick and improved security.
“This road has benefited us in several ways. When someone is sick in the cattle camp, vehicles can easily move around and take the patient to the hospital. It has also promoted peace between the Buya of Budi and the Toposa of Kapoeta North counties,” Lorikadai said.
“Since the road was inaugurated, we have not had major insecurity issues except an attempted raid which was foiled,” he said.
Nakamu Loleng said the road had eased their movement in transporting the sick to the medical facilities and in the recovery of lost livestock.
“Before the road was opened, we used to fight with the Buya but we are now living peacefully. However, we are facing the challenge of hunger because all the grains we cultivated have been destroyed by birds,” she said.
“Before this road was opened, animals could disappear in the bushes and it was very difficult to deliver them. We are calling upon WFP and NPA to continue supporting us (women) because we are suffering from food insecurity,” Loleng added.