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Sports |
Konga amiss on CCI crisis
I READ with great interest what
Nakikus Konga told the newspapers (Oct 3) about the current
management tussle and crisis at the PNG Cocoa Coconut Institute
(CCI) and its implications for CCI plantation cash flows.
Though I agree with some of the points raised by him, I don’t
think Konga fully understood the extent of the impacts of the
management crisis on the labourers, casual staff and most
importantly, the scientific staff, before urging John Hickey to
formally appoint Hosea Turbarat as the permanent CEO.
For your information Konga, the eradication exercise on CPB
under Turbarat has not been won. And losing that battle is a
clear manifestation of what kind of leadership we can expect.
The current management is using “riot squad” tactic and a
security company probably as a corrective measure in face of the
management crisis, but it will not bring any lasting solutions.
It is only adding more pressure on the financial status of CCI.
The presence of heavily armed policemen and the regular
identification and checks by the security company have sent the
wrong signals to all of us – scientists, officers and labourers.
We are made to feel alienated and restricted.
For the intellectuals of this once premier research institute,
we feel insulted to be regularly checked by the security
company.
Just imagine a Grade 6 drop-out sending a senior scientist back
home because he forgot to come with his ID card.
My suggestion is that the minister should engage a private
management consultant to advertise and screen potential
candidates for the CEO’s post based on merit and experience,
instead of appointing someone who is already caught up in the
web of current crisis, or letting the board to choose one.
CCI is in dire need of someone with a good knowledge of cocoa
coconut research, extension and development issues and
challenges, which involves people or staff management, and not
just any agriculturalist or administrator.
I hope you are enlightened from this end, Konga.
Oppressed
research officer
Tavilo
 
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