By Abraham Garang
Upper Nile State government has revealed its commitment to rehabilitate the Malakal airstrip with the aim of improving livelihood and benefiting the interests of the people in the state.
The authorities said they would cooperate with relevant authorities in the National Government in the field of service delivery to ensure implementation of projects.
The State Deputy Governor, Mr. Deng Akuei Kak, made the commitment while meeting in his office on Tuesday 27th of January 2026 in Malakal, with a delegation from the National Ministry of Transport, headed by the Undersecretary of the Ministry, Mr. Paul Dhel Gum.
“The Head of visiting delegation briefed the State senior official on the ministry’s upcoming plans aimed at improving the infrastructure of Wau and Malakal airstrip” he said.
The Undersecretary Gum said that the ministry is working to rehabilitate infrastructure and develop essential services across all airports in the country.
He added that maintenance work on the facilities would kick off soon at Wau Airstrip in Western Bahr el Ghazal followed by Malakal Airport in the Upper Nile.
Located just north of the town, Malakal airstrip is the smaller of two international airports in South Sudan, the largest being Juba International Airstrip, which lies approximately 521 kilometres to the south in the capital city of Juba.
Sitting at an elevation of 1,291 feet (393 m) above the sea level, the airstrip has one runway designated 05/23 with an asphbalt surface measuring 2,000 by 38 meters.
Meanwhile, Deputy Governor Deng Akuei Kak welcomed the initiative, praising the Ministry’s efforts to modernize airport infrastructure.
He highlighted that these improvements will help meet the needs and expectations of travelers, while reaffirming the state government’s determination to strengthen cooperation with the federal government in order to achieve tangible benefits for the people of Upper Nile.
Akuei Kak added that the state government, through its Ministry of Roads and Bridges, would work hand in hand with the Federal Ministry of Transport to create a conducive environment for the progress of these projects.