JUBA — Four employees of the South Sudan Civil Aviation Authority are facing possible dismissal over allegations of holding positions and receiving salaries from more than one institution, according to an official.
The employees are reportedly among civil servants whose names have appeared on multiple payrolls, raising concerns over dual employment within government institutions.
Transport Undersecretary, Paul Dhel Gum made the disclosure while welcoming the new Director General of the South Sudan Civil Aviation Authority in Juba on Friday.
Dhel said the ministry had received reports about employees who are on the civil aviation payroll while also working for other institutions.
He said two of those identified are army officers and also employees of Nilepet.
“There are some names that have been reported to us in the ministry. These people get salaries at civil aviation. Two of them are officers in the army. And they are also employees of the Nilepet. And at the same time, they are employees of Civil Aviation,” he said.
Dhel said the government would take immediate action.
“We are going to terminate those people immediately. They will not continue to be here.”
He said the new Director General, Eng. Kat Mosety, should investigate the issue beyond the senior management level and identify weaknesses that allow employees of other institutions to join the Civil Aviation payroll.
“If we are able to identify four people, then I believe DG gets deeper down; don’t be at the top. You need to sink down to find out where the loopholes that are allowing the employees of other institutions to be employees of civil aviation,” he added.
According to Dhel, such arrangements are disadvantaging staff who work solely for civil aviation.
“And they are disadvantaging your own staff who are here.”
He also warned that unequal treatment in the distribution of resources could create conflict within the institution.
“The moment one person feels he or she is not getting what is his or her right, and the other person who doesn’t deserve it is getting it, then we have created the conflict.”
Dhel called for a review of the Civil Aviation Authority’s human resources system together with its board of directors.
“We need to review the human resources of the civil aviation together with the board of directors. And we will put everybody where he or she belongs.”
The ministry is also pushing for changes to the legal framework governing aviation.
Dhel said one proposed law would regulate the investigation of air accidents and incidents. He said the ministry was engaging the presidency to have the law operational through a presidential order until a new parliament is elected and sworn in.
He cited the recent air crash in Luri as an example of the need for a clear legal framework.
“The committee was formed, the investigation was out, but we did all the operations without a guiding legal instrument.”
Dhel said he would push for the presidential order.
“I will pick it up and I will make sure that the presidential order is issued on that to ensure we have the law in hands to regulate how we investigate the air accidents.”
The ministry is also proposing an Airports Authority with autonomous powers to manage airports across the country.
Civil Aviation would remain the sector regulator, while the proposed Airports Authority would manage airport operations and services.
“This law will separate powers.”
Dhel said the reforms were intended to strengthen the institution and address concerns over job security.
The acting minister also urged the new civil aviation leadership to work together, saying differences should not be allowed to undermine the authority.
