(AWEIL) – Governor Simon Ober Mawutdit of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State has delivered on a promise made earlier this month by donating a tricycle bike to the Ayat Women Association, a local grassroots group based in Greater Ayat.
The donation, which took place on Thursday, marks a symbolic gesture of support from the state leadership towards women’s mobility and empowerment in the rural area of Aweil West. The three wheeled bicycle is expected to ease transport and improve access to markets and services for the local women’s association.
The spokeswoman of the Northern Bahr el Ghazal Women’s Union, Apiu Athian Madhol, expressed gratitude on behalf of the Ayat community. She recalled that Governor Ober had made the commitment during a public address in Marialbaai on 9 July, and was pleased to see the promise fulfilled within weeks.
“Today, NBG’s Governor Simon Ober has handed over a tricycle bike to the women of Greater Ayat, which he promised on July 9 during his speech in Aweil West Marialbaai,” Apiu said, describing the handover as a positive sign of leadership responsiveness.
Though modest in size and cost, the donation carries symbolic weight, as it reflects ongoing efforts in some areas of South Sudan to prioritise local women’s needs. Tricycle bikes are especially useful in remote areas with poor road access, where they are often used to transport goods, water, or even sick family members.
While the monetary value of the donation was not disclosed, the average cost of a tricycle bike in local markets is estimated to be around 500,000 South Sudanese Pounds, equivalent to approximately $109 at current exchange rates (July 2025: $1 = 4,600 SSP).
South Sudan’s rural areas continue to face challenges in infrastructure and transportation, particularly affecting women and community groups. Initiatives like this may seem small but can serve as important steps toward social development and gender inclusion.
The Ayat Women Association is known in the region for its work on food production, community savings, and rural support programmes. Local leaders hope that such assistance will encourage more sustained support from state and national institutions for women-led initiatives across the country.
Governor Mawutdit’s office did not issue an official press release, but the donation was confirmed and welcomed by multiple community sources and local media.
This event has been seen by observers as a positive move that could help improve engagement between local governments and women’s groups, particularly in underdeveloped parts of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State.