Aerial View of Wau Town- Western Bhar El Ghazal. Photo credit: Courtesy

A civil society leader has called on the national government to urgently rehabilitate the Wau–Baziya–Raja Road, saying poor conditions during the rainy season are disrupting transport, limiting access to healthcare and increasing the cost of living in Western Bahr el Ghazal State.

Stephen Robo Musa, Coordinator of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) in Western Bahr el Ghazal, said sections of the road have become nearly impassable due to deep potholes, flooded streams and inadequate maintenance.

He said journeys that previously took about nine hours now take several days, leaving communities isolated and making it difficult for patients, traders and other travelers to reach their destinations.

Robo said the poor state of the road has worsened access to healthcare, particularly for emergency cases involving pregnant women and patients requiring urgent medical attention.

“The road from Wau to Baziya and Raja, when patients are brought, it gets even worse because of the poor condition of the road. It causes more damage even to the sick person from the illness they are already suffering from, especially women who are in labour and those who need to rush to the hospital.”

He urged the national government and the Ministry of Roads and Bridges to prioritize the rehabilitation of the road to improve access to essential services.

“I think it is high time that the national government and the Minister of Roads and Bridges authorize the road in consultation with the federal government, so that services reach the people. People are able to access hospitals and their basic needs.”

According to Robo, the poor road conditions have contributed to increased transport costs and higher prices of goods in rural markets, while making it difficult for patients, especially women in labor and those requiring emergency care, to reach health facilities.

He also criticized mining companies operating along the road corridor, accusing them of transporting heavy equipment to mining areas without supporting efforts to improve the road infrastructure.

Robo further claimed that previous road rehabilitation contracts have not resulted in visible progress despite repeated commitments to improve the highway.

He called on the government to take urgent action, warning that poor accessibility could also affect civic and voter education activities and other election-related preparations ahead of South Sudan’s planned national elections.

The Wau–Baziya–Raja Road is one of the main transport routes linking Raja County with Wau and surrounding communities.