Dinka Ngok authorities in the disputed region between South Sudan and Sudan have appreciated the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) for have managed to complete grading of a road connecting Abyei town and Agok, the region's two most populate areas.

Alor Dhoel Al Biet, Information Minister for the Abyei Special Administrative Area said the work of the construction company contracted by UNISFA to link Abyei and Agok has finally reached Agok town in the south of the Abyei region.

“The road connecting the two town should have been handed to the Abyei Administration in May by the UNISFA as per the agreement and because of some challenges, it delayed until the company just started leveling in June,” he said.

The poor road between Abyei and Agok has inhibited trade, contributing to higher market prices.

Alor said the company has completed the work over a distance of 37 km within a period of short time. But he reiterated that the road linking Agok and Ajak-Akuach also needs to be worked on.

He pointed out that what was done was just a grading and the real construction of it will resume when rain stops in the region.

In other news, the minister further annouced that there was some improvement in food security in the region since some crops have yielded well. He said that dura crops grown locally have already reached to the Abyei market.

Alor stated that the price of a malwa of dura has reduced to 35 SSP as a result of good harvest this season compared to previous months. “I predict that there will be a good harvest this year in the region if there wouldn’t be any interferences that may come like flood,” he said.