The inhabitants of Akuac Payam in Gogrial West County in Warrap State are elated because of being connected to a telephone network for the first time.
MTN Group, which is Africa’s largest mobile network operator, on Tuesday, activated its services in the area during the visit of President Salva Kiir, who hails from the same county.
MTN’s operation in the area was launched by Jacob Maiju Korok, the deputy minister of information and telecommunications, in the presence of President Kiir and Vice President Hussien Abdelbagi.
Several cheerful residents of Akuac Payam who spoke to Radio Tamazuj said the telephone service will improve their lives.
Angelina Teng said women in labour can now easily call for help and be rushed to the hospital for delivery.
“The network is good because it connects people in rural areas with their relatives in towns, and we are really happy, and our lives will change for the better,” she said. “In the past, we used to search for networks on high ground. Now one can sit in her or his hat and communicate.”
Another lady, Akeen Deng Deng, said the telephone network will help in expeditiously transporting sick people to the hospital.
“It will benefit people in very many ways; firstly, if one is sick, they can call and be taken to hospital,” she said. “In the past, people used to die due to lack of communication.”
Meanwhile, Gogrial West County Commissioner Victor Wek Koordit said the new MTN network in the area will also benefit the areas of Peth Lou in Aweil East County, Akon and Akuac Payam, which had weak signals and also help in curbing insecurity.
“There was an MTN tower installed in Korou village in Akuac Payam last year, but some machines were not fixed. It has now been done and was opened officially by the deputy minister of information on Tuesday,” he said. “The importance of the communication network is that it connects people and mitigates insecurity because security organs can be called. Also, patients with emergencies can access the health centres.”
“It will also boost trade because merchants can call suppliers and place orders,” he added.