The Zain telecommunications network on Friday resumed services in parts of Uror County of South Sudan’s Jonglei State after it was shut down in 2013.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, several county residents, welcomed the resumption, saying they are now connected to the rest of the country after seven years.
“Resumption of the network in Uror County is a very good thing. We, the women of that area are the beneficiaries because we will now be able to hear from our husbands, children, and other family members who left Uror in the past years during the civil war,” Deafrica William Nyuon Bany said.
Another Uror County resident, Yuong Wuol Tho, could not hide his happiness with the network resumption, saying they could now feel the peace dividends.
“Even after the peace was signed, we felt that we were left out because we lacked access to basic services. Now, we are happy that we are connected to our loved ones. Our message is that we also need a radio station and other basic services in our area,” he said.
For his part, Tang Chatim, the Uror County commissioner, also welcomed the Zain mobile network resumption, saying it will help ensure that basic services are efficiently and effectively delivered.
“On Thursday, the Zain company reinstalled its network in Peri town, and then in Yuai, the county headquarters on Friday evening. The network will help connect those separated during the civil war and ensure that services are delivered. The coverage of the network is 25 km in those two areas.”
The county official appealed to the Zain company to extend its coverage to the rest of the county.