President Kiir doubts air safety in southern Sudan
May 6, 2008 (Juba NSV) - The president of the Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) his Excellency Salva Kiir Mayardit has expressed doubts on air safety in Southern Sudan following tragic plane crash on May 2, 2008 that killed all 21 people on board.
The president said southern Sudan has experienced cases of air crash repeatedly and that something must be done to curb more deaths resulting from air crash.
Kiir said air planes being operated in southern Sudan are the types that are "not allowed from entering any national capital".
The plane that killed all passengers on board on May 2, 2008 identified as A Beech 1900 is registered in Kenya. The Kenya civil aviation authority is yet to produce report on the plane.
President Kiir said "Southern Sudan is becoming a dumping ground of all forms…" and that people are enchanted by the beautifully colored imported old vehicles which do not measure up to the required stands.
Kiir also expressed concerns on the increasing number of motorcycles in the hands of youngsters. He said such motorcycles are killing young people. Young people in Juba have resorted to buying motorcycles to use as Boda-Boda with the hope of making a quick buck. A Boda-boda cyclist can charge a maximum 10 Sudanese Pound ($5) within Juba.
The GoSS president was speaking during a prayer meeting for the plane crash victims where he paid homage to the GoSS and Sudan people's Liberation Army (SPLA) Officials who died in a tragic Plane crash on May 2, 2008 on their way to Juba after attending the Sudan people's Liberation Movement (SPLM) States congress there.
Among the 21 people who died in the plane crash were Justin Yac Arop, the presidential Advisor and Dominic Dim Deng, the Minister for SPLA Affairs together with their beloved wives.
