District sees road after 40 years of living in isolation

After 40 years of living in isolation from government services, locals in the West Yangoru Local Level Government of Yangoru-Saussia district finally witnessed the opening of a new 3 kilometre road.

Constructed at the cost of K150,000, the people of Kumun, Kuwaiyan and Winjuhon villages expressed gratitude to the Minister for Trade, Commerce & Industry and Member for Yangoru-Saussia District, Richard Maru, for finally recognising their  need.

The road runs from Kumun to Winjuhon village.

The villagers also witnessed the opening of a new elementary classroom that was constructed at Winjuhon village at a total cost of K20,000. The funding was derived from the District Services Improvement Program.

Teacher-in-charge of the Winjuhon Elementary School, Mrs Doreen Juakun, thanked Minister Maru for recognising the plight of children who have suffered from not having access to proper learning facilities like classrooms.

Mrs Juakun said for years, the children were taught in classrooms made from bush materials.

“Children have been neglected from having access to better education facilities for years and as a result, many tend to give up schooling,” said Mrs Juakun.

Maru urged his people to look after the services that have been given to them.

“I challenge you all to help maintain the new road and don’t depend on the Government to do that for you. Ward councillors should take the lead in ensuring that people maintain this road.”

He said many councilors, all over the district, have failed to carry out their responsibilities despite being put on the payroll recently.

“And it’s not fair for the Government to pay the councillors when they are not performing their roles.

“The basic services that are being built must be maintained by the councillors and the people. Money cannot be used to maintain these services but to bring more services to the district,” said Minister Maru.

He announced that contractors are currently being organised to start construction work on the road from Kumun to Kairiru villages and from Winghei to Palmalmal villages in the West Yangoru LLG.

Funding has also been allocated for the construction of a bridge at Koboibus and work is expected to begin this week.

Minister Maru said another K200,000 has been allocated for the construction of another road from Pelegen to Boinam villages.

He stressed that road services are reaching all the LLGs in the district but no one is realising the importance of taking up the initiative to maintain these roads.

“Before the next election, I want to make sure that all the villages in Yangoru-Saussia district will be connected by road links for the first time after 40 years and the district is working aggressively towards that,” said Minister Maru.

He said for years, supplementary budgets have been misused. Millions have been squandered with no services, yet people continue to criticise the current leadership of the country that is currently pumping millions into districts to ensure people have access to better services.

Author: 
Press release