Rehabilitation of roads in the Abyei Administrative Area began on Tuesday, local authorities said, in a project aimed at improving transport and boosting economic activity.
The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure told Radio Tamazuj that work has started on a 37-kilometer road linking Abyei town to Aneet. The launch was officiated by the deputy chief administrator.
Officials said the project is progressing well and is expected to ease movement of goods and services in the area, which is often cut off during the rainy season due to poor road conditions.
“Abyei is hard to reach during the rains because of its clay soil, which hinders the movement of commercial trucks,” said Arop Nyok, director general at the ministry. “This has severely affected living conditions, as goods can take days to arrive on muddy roads.”
Nyok said the road, which will extend from Abyei town to Akech-Nhial bridge and onward to Aneet, is a key economic corridor linking the area to Twic County in Warrap state.
“This road will foster development by enabling trade and encouraging investment, particularly in sectors such as health,” he said.
Authorities said the Abyei administration is funding the project using locally generated resources but warned that limited funds could hinder completion of the broader road network.
Nyok called on the national Ministry of Roads and Bridges to support the initiative, saying additional funding is needed to extend the road to Wunrock in Twic County.
“Intra-road connectivity is crucial, and the area administration cannot complete this project with insufficient funds,” he said.
He also expressed appreciation to neighboring Warrap state for allowing access to marram soil used in road construction, noting that Abyei’s clay soil is unsuitable for building durable roads.
“The cost of transporting marram soil is high, as contractors charge in U.S. dollars, making the project more expensive,” Nyok said. “However, it is the government’s responsibility to build this road to improve security and business activity.”
Meanwhile, Abyei Information Minister Yuohna Akol said the road project is part of Chief Administrator Charles Abyei’s plan to upgrade infrastructure in the area.
“The purpose of constructing this road is to improve livelihoods and security, as road ambushes and robberies are common, especially targeting truck drivers,” Akol said.
He added that poor road conditions last year caused significant delays, with some goods spending months in transit and being damaged by rain.
“The road will ease the movement of goods and reduce such losses,” he said.
Akol said construction has so far covered 37 kilometers from Akech-Nhial to Manyang and is expected to reach Aneet soon.
He added that a second phase of the project will involve renovating the Aneet airstrip, where stagnant water has hindered humanitarian flights and the delivery of essential supplies, including medicines.