By Our Reporter
KWANIA-Kwania North County Member of Parliament James Ongu Tar has intensified efforts to secure a government ambulance for the constituency, citing the critical shortage of emergency transport services in the area.
Ongu said he met the Commissioner for Emergency Services at the Ministry of Health to discuss the need for an ambulance in Kwania North.
He made the revelation in a statement shared on Thursday on the Kwania Development Forum, a WhatsApp platform.
He noted that more than 140 constituencies across the country currently do not have government ambulances and that government plans to procure 53 additional ambulances in November or December 2026, but the number would not be sufficient to close the existing gap.
“Personally, last week I held my first meeting with the Commissioner for Emergency Services in the Ministry of Health regarding a government ambulance for Kwania North,” Ongu said.
According to the MP, he was advised to ask the district technical leadership, through the Chief Administrative Officer, to formally write to the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health requesting the service.
Ongu said he would also seek political support from the Minister of Health to strengthen the district’s request.
He also described the use of plastic chairs, tents and semi-ambulances he has so far donated as temporary measures necessitated by the poverty affecting many residents who cannot afford private vehicles or medical insurance.
“People who are fairly well-off, have private cars or medical insurance do not need those semi-ambulances, plastic chairs and tents. Unfortunately, most of our constituents are poor and do not have that luxury,” he said.
However, he stressed that such interventions should not be regarded as permanent solutions to the constituency’s health transport challenges.
The MP called on residents, local leaders and other stakeholders to join the lobbying efforts, saying the responsibility for attracting services to the area should not be left to MPs alone.
“Should lobbying be preserved for MPs only? Anybody, including you, should lobby and bring services to his or her area,” he said.
Ongu also appealed to residents to give elected leaders time to implement their programmes while offering constructive criticism and support.
He cautioned that continuous condemnation of leaders on social media and excessive politicking would not contribute to the development of Kwania.
The MP said similar lobbying efforts were underway to secure a seed secondary school for Akali Sub-county and restore missing road equipment in the district.
He also proposed the establishment of biannual Kwania District stakeholders’ meetings to bring together elected leaders, technical officials, residents and Kwania people living outside the Lango sub-region.
The meetings, he said, would provide a platform to discuss challenges affecting the district and develop collective solutions.
Key areas for discussion would include healthcare, education, the proper use of Parish Development Model funds, and the repayment or restocking of funds received by beneficiaries.
“Stakeholders can collectively meet, discuss and strategies on the issues affecting our Kwania,” he noted.
Joel Ayeni, a resident of Alira Parish and head teacher of Amorigoga Primary School, commended Ongu for what he described as thoughtful and inclusive leadership.
Ayeni praised the MP’s efforts to pursue both immediate and long-term solutions to the challenges facing Kwania.
He also welcomed Ongu’s call for unity, patience and cooperation among leaders, stakeholders and residents.
Moses Odwono, a UPC party registrar, said Ongu represented the kind of leadership Kwania North had been seeking.
“This kind of submission is very encouraging because it is free from bias, unlike the actions of some leaders,” Odwono said.
Another resident, who identified himself as Odongo Alobo, urged local leaders to work together in the interest of the wider Kwania and Lango communities.
“Hon. James, thank you for your submission. I encourage you, Hon. Eron, Hon. Kenny, KK and other councillors to join hands and continue. Not everyone will appreciate, but let the focus remain on the greater community of Kwania and Lango,” he said.