The United Nations Interim Security Forces for Abyei (UNISFA) intends to start construction of the road connecting Keij (Diffra) and Abyei in the contested territory between Sudan and South Sudan, the Ngok Dinka paramount chief disclosed.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Wednesday, Chief Bulabek Deng Kuol said the project should have been started three years. He said the necessary agreements are already in place.

A Sudanese engineering company, reportedly under the direct supervision of UNISFA, is contracted to build the road.

Several Abyei natives have rejected the move to have a Sudanese firm construct the roads, saying that it might be a plan to annex Abyei to West Kordofan.

But the traditional leader confirmed that residents now understand that this is not the case. He denied that the Sudanese government provided the funds for the road construction.