By Malith Alier, Juba, South Sudan
November 13, 2015 (SSB) —- On the 4th of this month a cargo plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Juba International Airport (JIA). The plane was headed to Paloch oilfields in Upper Nile state.
The circumstances under which the plane crashed are shrouded in mystery. Reports from the Ministry of Transport, Roads and Bridges (MTRB) and the Airport Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) are uncorroboratable. The CAA is completely pervasive in its responsibility. It is unable to explain how the cargo plane was overloaded with goods and passengers only to end up in disintegration across the Nile. Just only a few metres from the takeoff point.
According to reports from various media outlets, the crew only reported 12 passengers on board to the CAA. This meant that there were six crew members and the rest were passengers. This false report was laid bare by the number of the dead reported to be 41 and 2 survivors one of whom was a child of 15 months.
Many questions linger why such things happen in the republic while there are bodies in charge like the Ministry of Transport and the CAA? Why an international facility such as JIA operates in mystery without the knowledge of the bodies in charge?
The 4th November plane crash offers the government an opportunity to start the process of accountability. It is not only when ministers slap people they are forced to resign. It is more so when they neglect their duties such as the one of the plane crash which killed people in excess of 41. Even one soul is more precious to lose at this time.
The families of the victims of the plane crash and other South Sudanese have been waiting for days to see whether someone will take political responsibility for the internecine crash. The responsibility involves resignation of some high ranking officials from both the MTRB and CAA. Heads must roll!
In case nobody takes responsibility for the plane crash, the president of the Republic, Salva Kiir Mayardit should crack the whip and fire the minister of transport together with the head of CAA for gross negligence in the aviation industry.
Steps like that restore people’s confidence in the government and have a potential for drawing long time support to the ruling party, the SPLM.
People should not second guess another outcome. Also there is no better start of implementing the CPA. It must start with stringent accountability.
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