Telecommunications company MTN has resumed its operations in Chukudum County of Kapoeta State after four years.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Monday, the county commissioner Julius Amin confirmed the network’s resumption in the area after long absence.
“They have opened the network and we are communicating nicely. We have been without network for four years in Chukudum County. It was as we were in a cave where there is no communication. We knew nothing about the world, but we are now connected,” Amin said.
He pointed out the network will help authorities reconcile neighboring communities. “As per now, we are connected to the rest of the world and as I speak now, I am in Lotome of Kidepo County in Torit State to connect peace between the neighboring counties,” he added.
For his part, the Kapoeta State Information minister, Simon Karlo also confirmed the restoration of the MTN network in Chukudum County, saying he requested providers like Zain to return and resume their services in the state.
“I talked to Zain Company while in Juba and told them we need all the counties to have the network operational, especially the previous networks that existed before the crisis of 2013. They said they are looking into it and will send their engineers to assess the situation in those counties to find out the missing items,” Karlo said.
Wilson Jacob, a local resident, said the MTN has excited everyone in Chukudum town. “We are very happy to be on air. Many things were missing because of the network, but we can now get the latest news,” Jacob said.
Anthony Lobalu, another resident, said the conflict which erupted in Chukudum four years ago affected the MTN network. “There was no communication and we were not able to know what was happening. We are now happy to talk to people in Kenya, Juba, Torit, Kapoeta, Wau and many places,” he said.