MINISTER GOI PRAISED FOR RESTORING STABILITY IN AVIATION SECTOR

CAPTION: Outgoing Civil Aviation Minister Wake Goi speaking during the handover ceremony last week.

BY LETHISA KOLOKOL

OUTGOING Minister for Civil Aviation, Hon. Wake Goi, has been praised for his stalwart leadership and for restoring stability to the aviation sector after a decade of unsteady management.

Speaking during the handover ceremony on Friday, 24 July 2026, National Airports Corporation (NAC) Board Chairman, Mr. Jacob Anga, noted that the sector had faced unstable leadership and a high turnover rate of Chief Executive Officers and Managing Directors over the last 10 years.

Mr. Anga, a long-serving aviation professional, stated that the sector had lacked proper direction for many years.
He emphasized that this changed significantly following Minister Goi’s appointment in March last year.

During his 16-month tenure, Minister Goi spearheaded multiple contracts to rehabilitate crucial points of entry across the country. He also brought organizational stability to Niusky Pacific Limited and recently launched the rehabilitated Goroka Air Traffic Control Tower.,

Among these achievements, Mr. Anga specifically thanked Minister Goi for restoring stability and establishing a fully functioning NAC Board, resolving issues that had persisted since 2022.

Furthermore, he highlighted Minister Goi’s successful efforts in establishing the Rural Airstrip Agency as an independent organization. This agency will soon take charge of rehabilitation projects for rural airstrips nationwide.

Mr. Anga thanked Minister Goi for his steadfast support over the past year and wished him well in his new role as Minister for Commerce and Industry.

The NAC Board Chairman also welcomed the incoming Minister, Hon. Douglas Tomuriesa, expressing total confidence in his ability to lead the aviation sector to greater heights.