The people of Lafon County in Eastern Equatoria State are calling on the state government to construct the road linking Lafon to Torit town. The road connects four communities of Loronyo, Loudo, Lopit, and Lafon to Torit Town.
For years, the people of Lafon have been disconnected from Torit due to the poor road network. The community there says it has informed the state government several times regarding the matter but did nothing about it.
In a telephone interview with Radio Tamazuj, Lafon Chief, Oba Wilson called on the Eastern Equatoria Government to repair the poor road.
“We want the government to help us by constructing this road so that we can end the suffering of our people. Now, if someone is sick here in Lafon or has some emergencies in Torit, he/she cannot be helped due to the poor road to reach Torit. So, if the government is really there, let them come and help us,” he appealed.
Community members in Lafon say they are finding it difficult to connect to the state capital Torit especially during emergencies like sicknesses and child delivery due to poor roads.
Meanwhile, John Okuk the youth leader in Lafon Centre says, “Since 2005 up to today, there was no good road to connect Lafon to Torit. The people of Lafon are still waiting for the government to respond to our pleas. The situation of the road was not the way it is now because it has worsened now due to heavy rain and floods.”
Currently, Lafon-Torit road is impassable by vehicles though people there walk on foot to Torit Town for any businesses.
John Achuidi, a community member from Lafon says if the road is constructed, it will ease transport, especially during emergencies.
“Now we want the government to initiate the construction of the road from Torit to Loudo and Loronyo, Lopit up to Lafon Centre so that these people are connected. And so that the sick people can be rushed to the state capital of Torit when they are sick,” Achuidi said.
Lopa/Lafon County is located in the north-western corner of Eastern Equatoria State. It borders Kapoeta North County to the east, Budi County to the south-east, and Torit County to the south. It also borders Central Equatoria State (Juba and Terekeka Counties) to the west and Jonglei State (Bor South and Pibor Counties) to the north.