By Lodu William Odiya
President Salva Kiir Mayardit has challenged the youth who have been placed in leadership positions to take up the challenge and meet the expectations of the people.
Kiir made the remark during the swearing-in ceremony of the newly appointed Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority, Dr. Ayiei Garang Ayiei.
In a statement issued by the presidential press unit yesterday, he emphasized that the nation was looking for them to provide quality service through the institutions they run.
The head of state highlighted that his administration has continued to install young professionals in various national institutions in order to demonstrate the confidence it has in them to be leaders and produce tangible outcomes.
“Let us see how they will perform. If you perform well, you have no limit. It is up to the sky that you will end” Kiir said in his speech.
The appointment of Dr. Ayiei comes at a time when the government is taking efforts towards reform and modernisation in the civil aviation industry.
Civil aviation officials emphasized that efforts were underway to ensure South Sudan’s civil aviation industry is in line with international best practices in matters concerning safety, security, and operations.
Speaking at the same event, the Minister of Presidential Affairs, Africano Mande Gedima, described the aviation industry as a critical security file that demands careful and professional management for the good of the nation.
He noted that a well-managed aviation sector is vital for national safety, connectivity, and economic growth.
“The airspace of every country is a security concern to everybody. So, the task being given to you, you must treat it as a security file, and I think you must not hesitate when there are critical decisions that need to be made” he said.
Meanwhile, the General Manager of Juba International Airport, Engineer Mosety Kat Monyjok, said airports are underway to modernize the airport to meet international standards.
He revealed that the facility is now technically ready to handle night flights, a development expected to boost air transport services and regional connectivity.
“As a manager of Juba International Airport, and with the support, we wanted to modernize the airport, to make it a modern facility.
Because over the years, our airport was in a very bad situation. But as we took over this task this year, we have managed to do a lot of physical infrastructure development. Currently, Your Excellency, a flight can land in Juba International Airport at night” he said.