Residents and community leaders in Nagero County and neighboring Tambura County in Western Equatoria State have appealed for improved telecommunication services as poor network connectivity continues to affect communication and access to information.
The residents say network services have been unstable, frequently going on and off for more than nine days, making communication difficult.
Usini Nicholas Vero, Commissioner of Nagero County, while speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Monday, raised concerns over poor telecommunication services, lack of internet access, and limited access to information affecting residents.
He said Nagero depends on only one telecommunication provider, MTN, whose network coverage is mainly available along the main road, while many communities remain without access. He said other providers, including Zain and Digitel, are not available in the county, leaving residents with limited communication options.
“Nagero has three payams, but Namatina Payam has no network access,” Vero said.
He added that poor network services have also affected access to media information, with residents unable to benefit from radio services and other sources of information.
The commissioner said he already raised the issue with the state Minister of Information and Communication, calling for urgent action to improve telecommunication services in the county.
He further explained that the existing MTN network has also been unreliable due to fuel shortages affecting the generator that supports the service.
Meanwhile, Mathew Makiso Zagino, Paramount Chief of Nagero County, confirmed that residents have suffered from poor network services for more than nine days. He appealed for urgent restoration of network, radio, and internet services, saying the communication challenges have delayed access to important information.
“We receive information late, and we are left behind,” Zagino said.
For his part, James Mupaya, commissioner of Tambura County, also said poor network coverage is affecting communication across the county. He said Tambura has only four network antennas, which are not enough to serve the county due to its large geographical area.
He called for the installation of more network antennas and the introduction of additional telecommunication companies to improve reliability.
The commissioner said depending on one network provider makes communities vulnerable whenever technical challenges occur.
An MTN sales representative, who spoke to Radio Tamazuj on condition of anonymity, said the network has not completely gone off but has been unstable due to technical challenges. He said engineers are working to improve the service.
Mohamed Juma, Western Equatoria State Minister of Information and Communication, said Nagero’s network challenges are linked to fuel shortages and poor road conditions affecting access by service providers.
He said MTN has reported the challenges and efforts are underway to restore the service.
“In Nagero there is no radio, no internet, no Digitel network, and no Zain,” Minister Juma said. “Fuel will soon be provided, and people should remain patient.”
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