Akechnhial bridge in Abyei Special Administrative Area | AAA press unit
By Alan Clement
Abyei’s Ministry of Physical Infrastructure, Public Utilities, and Communication has issued a stark warning regarding the deteriorating condition of the Akechnhial Bridge, a vital transport link in the region.
According to the Administrative Area’s press unit, Kon Mayiet Matiok, Minister of Physical Infrastructure, Public Utilities, and Communication issued the warning during a field inspection to the bridge site accompanied by Nyang Doldol Nyang, Commissioner of Alal County, Martin Deng Kuol Machar, Commissioner of the Land Commission, and technical officials from the Vietnamese engineering unit under the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA).
“The condition of the Akechnhial Bridge is critical. Key structural elements like nuts, bolts, and railings have been dismantled or damaged. Without immediate intervention, the bridge may not endure further pressure, especially from overloaded trucks” Minister Mayiet said, according to a statement from the Abyei Administrative Area Press Unit.
According to the Vietnamese engineering team, which conducted a technical assessment during the visit, the bridge’s maximum load capacity is only ten tons. However, it is being routinely exceeded by heavy trucks, posing a risk of structural failure and possible collapse.
The commander of the Vietnamese engineering unit further emphasized the need for collaboration with the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure, highlighting that “the problem is significant” and called for joint efforts to initiate urgent repairs.
According to the Area’s press unit, the restoration process will span five consecutive days, during which all movement across the bridge including vehicles, pedestrians, and fishing activities will be suspended. “Work will proceed under full closure, and movement will only resume after 4:00 PM daily,” the commander noted in a statement, adding that the engineering team has requested security support from local authorities during the operation.
In light of these findings, the minister appealed to the national government and the Ministry of Roads and Bridges to collaborate with UNISFA and other stakeholders to either expand the current bridge or construct a new one. “Repeated maintenance is not sustainable.
“We cannot continue to rely on a bridge that was not designed to withstand the current level of traffic. We appeal to the national government and our international partners to work with us on expanding the existing bridge or constructing a new one to prevent recurrent maintenance and potential disasters,” he appealed.
The Administrative Area’s press unit confirmed that the inspection was part of a broader initiative to safeguard critical infrastructure and prevent disruptions to regional mobility and commerce.