13 February 2014 - Assisting the government with local development, UNMISS Chinese engineers in Northern Bahr El-Ghazal State today handed over a newly constructed road connecting the state capital Aweil to the airport.

Contingent commander Major Zhang Huicai said the peacekeepers had constructed the 2.1- kilometer access road to ease transport from the airport to the town.

In addition, they constructed a 500-square metre apron and taxiway, which will enable bigger aircrafts to land at the airport than was previously the case.

“Any aircraft of whatsoever (weight) can now land in Aweil airstrip,” said Engineer Garang Ajou, the Director for Roads, Bridges and Transport in the State Ministry of Physical infrastructure.

Governor Paul Malong Awan, who inaugurated the road, commended the mission and peacekeepers for their developmental role in the state.

“Development all over the world is a friend of peace and an enemy to war,” said the governor, who had just returned to the state after being away for almost two months. “It is a lovely day … because I have seen a great change after my absence.”

General Awan also applauded the people of Northern Bahr El-Ghazal for being peaceful and cooperating with UNMISS. He said people countrywide and around the world were unafraid of going to such a peaceful state.

“Those who are not peaceful, who think that they can take rights (into their own) hands and impose their power… let them do that but you in your houses in Aweil, be peaceful,” he said.