Members of the Western Bahr el Ghazal State Legislative Assembly are expressing growing concern over the delay in delivering two ambulances and initiating construction of the 60-kilometre tarmac road, both of which were pledged by President Salva Kiir.
During a public rally in Wau, the capital of Western Bahr el Ghazal State, on March 18th, President Kiir announced his commitment to constructing a 60-kilometre tarmac road within Wau town and procuring two emergency ambulance vehicles for Wau Teaching Hospital.
However, recent developments indicate that construction on the 60-kilometre tarmac road has not yet commenced, and the ambulances have yet to be delivered.
As the state assembly resumed its sessions in Wau following a four-month recess, some Members of Parliament emphasized the need for the President’s office and the State Governor’s office to reaffirm their dedication to fulfilling these pledges.
Joseph Mawut, an MP, highlighted the severe ambulance shortage in the state-run hospital as a pressing concern. He stated, “Our big concern regarding the ambulances in Wau Teaching Hospital is deeply rooted in the shortage of ambulances across Western Bahr el Ghazal State. Despite the President’s commitment to provide two ambulances last March, we have yet to receive them. Lives are being lost in remote areas due to the inability to swiftly transport patients during emergencies.”
Mawut stressed the critical nature of the issue, given the limited availability of just three ambulances across the three counties, which results in significant challenges in responding to emergencies.
“If you go to the side of Jur River, Raja and some parts of Wau County, they are using only one ambulance in Jur River and it has been parked in Wau town while Jur River is very large. And also if you go to Raja, they are using one ambulance which is parked in Raja which is a city of Raja and if they have a patient in Dem-Zubair, it needs a connection first to call, then they can release the ambulance to come and take a patient. In some areas that lack telecommunications connectivity, the challenges become greater,” he said.
Khamis Dayia Omer, another state legislator, echoed the call for action, urging the state government to urgently liaise with the President’s office in Juba. Khamis stated, “Pregnant women residing in rural areas are suffering due to the lack of access to hospitals during childbirth.”
In response to the MPs’ concerns, Dr. Vincent Taban, the state minister of Health, acknowledged the urgency of the situation. He commented, “The current health crisis in the state has led to lawmakers expressing their concerns about the two ambulances pledged by His Excellency the President to Western Bahr el Ghazal State. Particularly during this rainy season, there is an increase in morbidity and mortality rates because the state lacks ambulances for emergencies. There is a high need for a referral system in Western Bahr el Ghazal State. These problems have compelled state legislators to ask questions about what was pledged by the president, especially the two ambulances.”
Dr. Taban assured that the state governor’s office would follow-up the matter with the President’s office to expedite the delivery of the ambulances.
Turning to the issue of the 60-kilometre tarmac road, some MPs pressed State Roads Minister Hassen Ngor Aguer for updates. Minister Aguer explained the delays in initiating the tarmac road construction, attributing them to unclear communication from the national minister of Roads and Bridges, Simon Mijok Mijak, in Juba.
Aguer revealed that a Chinese road construction company, Airbone Construction Company, was already operational in Wau, working on a tarmac road from Clement Mboro bridge. Aguer clarified, “The same Chinese company, Airbone Engineering Company, will undertake the 60-kilometre tarmac road project pledged by the President. Delays from the national ministry of Roads and Bridges have hindered our progress. We are awaiting the go-ahead from the national ministry in Juba to initiate work.”
Aguer emphasized the readiness of the construction company and the state’s determination to move forward with the project. He added, “While the company is fully prepared, our only delay lies in receiving the memorandum of understanding letter from the national ministry of Roads and Bridges. Once we have that, we can commence the 60-kilometre road construction as pledged by President Kiir.”