At least 85 commercial vehicles have been stranded in Watnhom, Lakes State, for three days after a stream overflowed and cut the road on the Bahr el Ghazal highway.
The unfinished bridge left by the road construction company
(ARC) has worsened the situation, making it impossible for drivers to cross.
Malith Garang, one of the affected drivers, described the
situation to Mingkaman FM
“There is no food because there is no market here at Waat
Nom, so we can’t buy food for the children who are here with us. They only eat
biscuits. Secondly, mosquitoes are so rampant, and there are no nets. We can
bear it as drivers, but the passengers can’t,” Garang explained.
Passenger Manyang But, who has spent three days stranded
echoed the concern of food.
“This road is good in terms of security because you can walk
at night without fear, but the problem now is our wellbeing. We are walking
with our children and there is nowhere to buy food. What is important now is to
repair the road so our cars can move,” But echoed.
Lakes State Minister for Roads and Bridges, Machiek Aguek,
has asked for more time to respond. Last month, residents in Paap reported a
similar problem when blocked culverts at Yiil caused flooding in nearby
villages.