Torrential rains and resultant flash floods have rendered the road connecting Unity State capital, Bentiu, to the three southern counties of Mayiendit, Leer, and Koch unusable, hindering movement of people and transportation of goods.
The major trade road connecting Bentiu, through Guit, Koch, Mayiendit, and Leer counties which lie south of the state has not been repaired since conflict erupted in the country in December 2013.
The Mayiendit County Commissioner Dr. Gatluak Nyang told Radio Tamazuj over the weekend that the now impassable road was “washed away by heavy rains” two weeks ago.
“All vehicles carrying humanitarian assistance and passengers to the southern part of Unity State in areas like Leer, Mayendit, and Koch County from Bentiu have been blocked due to the lack of a road,” he said. “The people are now using only motorcycles to go to three counties from Bentiu town and they do not transport commodities.”
“The minister of petroleum directed Sudd Petroleum Operating Company (SPOC) to reconstruct the 130-kilometre road to Leer County from Tharjiath Oilfield and Tharjiath-Koch road since 2021 but up to now nothing has been done,” Commissioner Nyang added.
Meanwhile, Thak Gai Bol, a resident of Mayiendit, confirmed that the road has been cut off by flash floods as a result of heavy and regular rainfall.
“People now foot from Bentiu to Koch, Mayiendit, and Leer counties,” he said. “Motorcycle taxis (boda-bodas) now charge one passenger SSP 120,000 for the journey yet it used to be only about 35,000.”
A motorcyclist, Gatkuoth Tok Jock, said it took him 11 hours to ride from Leer County to Bentiu IDPs camp and that it took him 6 hours to maneuver from Leer to Nyaruop due to bad road conditions.
“The remaining dirt roads are susceptible to flooding and mud, and between June and July, many of the citizens find it hard to drive through the roads by car,” he said.
The disruption of transportation creates difficulties in getting much-needed supplies into the counties of Leer, Mayendit, and Koch. Movement by boat is sometimes possible but it can also be dangerous and expensive.
The lack of accessible roads during the rainy season also creates healthcare issues for people who can’t access health centers and hospitals.