Gov’t to blame for deadly plane crash that killed dozens in Unity State – activist

JUBA – A civil society leader has blamed South Sudan government for negligence in the deadly plane crash that killed dozen people on Wednesday, calling out its aviation regulator for poor enforcement of safety standards and allowing outdated planes to fly in the country.

Ter Manyang Gatwech, the head of a Juba-based Center for Peace and Advocacy (CPA), said the South Sudan Aviation Authority officials must face a parliamentary inquiry to explain the circumstances surrounding recurring air accidents that have been witnessed in recent years.

“The Center for Peace and Advocacy (CPA) asserts that the plane crash was caused by negligence on the part of the Government of South Sudan. The small aircraft operating in South Sudan are too old to be used safely in the country,” Gatwech said in statement seen by Sudans Post.

He said the aviation authorities need to step up their role and ensure proper regulation of the aviation sector and safety of passengers.

“The Government of South Sudan should launch an investigation to end the numerous plane crashes in the country. The Director General of the South Sudan Civil Aviation Authority should be summoned by the National Parliament to explain the recent crashes”, he further said.

According to Unity State officials, the victims of Wednesday crash included at least 17 South Sudanese, most of whom were staff of GPOC or Greater Pioneer Operating Company, one of the firms operating the country’s oil sector.  One Indian and a Chinese also perished in the accident.

One person survived the crash with injuries and is reported to have been airlifted to Juba for further treatment.

Gatwech called on the plane operator to compensate the families of the victims.

“The Center for Peace and Advocacy (CPA) calls for compensation from the plane owners and companies to the families of the victims. The individuals who lost their lives are valuable human resources for the country,” he said.

It is not clear what caused the crash but the country’s president Salva Kiir Mayardit has ordered the transport ministry to launch investigations to establish the cause of the accident.

South Sudan aviation sector has seen frequent air accidents in recent years including one incident in November last year, in which five people were killed after a cargo plane carrying fuel crashed shortly after taking off from Juba International Airport.