Tokori Boma Lacks Road and Mobile Network Connectivity

(LASU PAYAM, YEI RIVER COUNTY) – Residents of Tokori Boma in Lasu Payam are raising concerns over the lack of road access and mobile telecommunication connectivity, challenges they say are severely affecting daily life in the rural community.

Speaking to Access Radio, Tokori Boma community leader Khamis Yatta said more than 10,000 residents are struggling due to poor infrastructure and isolation.

Yatta explained that Tokori is not directly connected to the Payam headquarters by road. Residents traveling to Lasu must first pass through Yei town before proceeding to Lasu Payam, a journey of about 43 miles.

“For us in Tokori, we are not connected directly to the Payam headquarters in terms of road network. If you need to go to Lasu Payam, we have to travel via Tokori to Yei and from Yei to Lasu Payam. It takes about 43 miles, yet according to assessments, Tokori can be connected within 17 miles. Currently, we are cut off and this has affected patients accessing health services and NGOs traveling to the area,” Yatta said.

The lack of a shorter road link has made it difficult for patients to reach healthcare facilities and for humanitarian organizations to deliver services effectively.

Tokori Boma is located approximately 22 miles northwest along the Yei–Maridi Road in Yei River County.

In addition to poor road infrastructure, residents face serious communication challenges due to the absence of reliable mobile network coverage.

Yatta said community members often climb trees and anthills to get phone signals to communicate with relatives in Yei and beyond.

“During the peace conference, we climbed trees to talk to people in Yei. This issue is affecting us negatively. Imagine if there is public information to be passed to the people, it takes three to four days before reaching the community. Due to lack of network, people are left behind, and it’s really bad for the community here,” he added.

Residents are now appealing to authorities and development partners to prioritize road construction and telecommunication expansion to improve access to healthcare, education, emergency response and information sharing.