Abe plans to pull SOEs into order, address issues

Kumul Consolidated Holdings (KCH) acting managing director Thomas Abe plans to pull all State-owned enterprises (SOEs) into order.
Abe, from Rigo, Central, said it was a big challenge but he was up to it.
He was the managing director of KCH’s predecessor, the Independent Public Business Corporation, from 2011 to 2013.
Chief Secretary Isaac Lupari said Abe was appointed three weeks ago after the suspension of Garry Hersey.
Abe, 60, was a diplomat, head of the Investment Promotion Authority, Independent Consumer and Competition Commission, and Kumul Minerals.
He was also the PNG Chamber of Commerce chief executive officer.
“I’d like to thank the Government for having confidence in appointing me to this very important organisation – the super SOE in charge of 10 to 12 SOEs,” he told The National.
“I’ve been there before, but it’s a big challenge.”
Abe said his challenge over the next three months would be addressing SOE issues, including debts.
“It’s about engaging with the SOEs, chairmen of boards and government departments, in particular the chief secretary, and working through these issues,” he said.