Corporation head appoints interim management

National, Normal
Source:

The National, Thursday October 24th, 2013

 AN interim management has been appointed to manage the research and growers service division of the Coffee Industry Corporation (CIC).

CIC chief executive officer Anton Benjamin yesterday endorsed a resolution submitted to him by staff of the division in Aiyura, Eastern Highlands, to have Steven Tumae head the division temporarily. 

Tumae is the general manager of the industry operation division.

He will be assisted by coffee inspector John Barry and security coordinator Toghu Yasah.

Benjamin said the current general manager Dr Mark Kenny would be recalled to the Coffee Industry Corporation head office in Goroka, Eastern Highlands.

This follows allegations that the division management instigated a fight between Onamuna and Iranomba villagers in Aiyura valley.

Anton yesterday intervened to restore confidence to staff members and assured them their safety following the fight.

The new management will look after the institution for the next three weeks while restoring normalcy.

Tumae and the interim management will devise a term of reference to strengthen security issues for CIC staff and properties.

Anton yesterday met staff members before meeting his National Agriculture Research Institute counterpart Dr Raghunath Ghodake and the director-general. 

He assured them of their safety.

They met with Obura-Wonenara MP Mehrra Kipefa and Eastern Highlands provincial police commander Supt John Kale and agreed to build a mobile squad barracks next to the two institutions.

There are 46 police officers providing security for State properties and people in the valley.