The early morning air is cool. A working day begin with the loud engine noise of specialized vehicles rushing to the construction sites, leaving long trails of dust behind.
Every day, each department performs different tasks as assigned, including upgrading key road routes, repairing patrol roads, preserving and repairing helipads, and installing smart barracks. These are important tasks of Vietnam's Engineering Company Rotation 3, which contribute to ensuring smooth operation of moving forces and supplying goods, as well as improving the quality of the infrastructure and roads in Abyei, facilitating easier travel and trade for local people.
Due to barren terrain, clay and mud mixed with sand in some places, the roads are prone to erosion in the rainy season and cracking in the dry season. Many sections of the roads have been seriously degraded due to heavy rain and the passage of heavy vehicles. Therefore, the construction and maintenance of these roadways is a considerable challenge. Racing against time to ensure the quality of the roads, Vietnam's Engineering Company Rotation 3 deploys 16-ton trucks to transport soil from quarries and evenly distribute it along the main roads. Then, they use bulldozers, graders, and rollers to smooth and compact the layers of soil, ensuring the road surface is stable for safe passage of vehicles.
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Vietnamese engineers working under the harsh weather conditions |
Apart from upgrading the main roads, the security patrol roads are also reinforced, helping the mobile patrol forces move more easily, contributing to maintaining order and security in disputed areas. Repairing airports and helipads degraded due to harsh weather conditions is also a routine task of the Vietnamese engineering troops.
In particular, the Vietnamese engineering troops have made their mark in the process of participating in building smart barracks at the mission. With obtained impressive results during their deployment in Abyei, the Vietnamese engineering unit was assigned to implement this important task. This is an advanced barracks model applying modern technology to improve the living and working conditions of the peacekeeping forces.
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Installing smart barracks at Ghana’s unit |
Currently, the Vietnamese Engineering Company Rotation 3 is building a smart barracks for the Ghanaian unit stationed in Anthony, quite far from Highway Base. Despite the harsh weather conditions, troops have been making efforts to overcome difficulties and implement many effective initiatives to accelerate the construction progress.
The smart barracks at the Ghanaian unit is gradually being completed. Solar-powered light posts have been installed. The internal roads within the unit have been concreted. The barracks is equipped with smart devices, contributing to creating the best possible living and working environment. The Vietnamese unit is determined to complete this smart barracks with the highest quality to affirm the responsibility and professionalism of the Vietnamese engineering troops in U.N. peacekeeping operations.
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Quick meal at work of the Vietnamese engineering troops |
According to non-commissioned Senior Captain Le Nguyen Dong who is directly responsible for the construction of the smart barracks at the Ghanaian unit, they have defined the construction of smart barracks as a key political task. Therefore, over the past time, his comrades and he have overcome the harsh weather conditions and worked overtime to meet and exceed the construction execution progress.
Inside their barracks, the Vietnamese engineering troops are working at high pressure. At the guard posts, troops are always on high alert, carefully observing all developments around them. The others focus on reinforcing fences and building embankments to enhance the protection of the barracks in the complex security conditions of the locality. Some staff are assigned to taking care of vegetable plots to ensure fresh meals for troops. In the food processing area, the logistics team is busy preparing meals for the unit, and more.
Thanks to the emulation movement, solidarity, and creativity in their task performance, Vietnam’s Engineering Company Rotation 3 has successfully completed important projects, contributing to the improvement of infrastructure quality at UNISFA and in Abyei. The movement has become a driving force encouraging officers and staff to overcome challenges, complete their tasks, and promote the good virtue of Uncle Ho’s soldiers, affirming the resilience of the Vietnamese engineering troops in an international environment.
From Lieutenant Colonel Le Hong Giang, Political Commissar of the Vietnam’s Engineering Company Rotation 3
Translated by Quynh Oanh