Niningi’s leadership

THERE is a theory that nothing in politics is ever lost – that every decision ever made, every word ever spoken, still exists somewhere in space and time and may one day be recalled.
The recent political events were one cosmic roll of the dice Pila Niningi comes to date with destiny with the political party he one stood and contested the ever elusive Imbonggu seat in 1982 while he was only a final year law student at the University of Papua New Guinea.
Pangu not so popular in the highlands – like today- couldn’t fetch Niningi the win but as first cut is always the deepest Pangu and its patriarch Sir Michael Somare (now GC) left in him a lasting impression in politics and thought him the ropes.
And from there, Pila never looked back, he walked the corridors of power in various capacities spanning over 35 years.
Pila started as supreme and national court associate in 1984 straight after LTI and went on become chief legal advisor to former prime ministers Paias Wingti and Sir Mekere Morauta, deputy chief of staff to Sir Mekere and Southern Highlands administrator.
Pila’s best comes from his extensive corporate knowledge and institutional memory in the public and State-owned enterprises as executive chairman of Telikom PNG Ltd, chairman of Celnet Ltd (now bmobile), Chairman of PNG Directories and deputy chairman of Post PNG Ltd.
And crowns his illustrious career being on the board of numerous statutory bodies including chairman of National Physical Planning Board, deputy chairman of PNG Land Board, chairman of SHP Liquor Licensing Board, chairman of SHP Development Corporation Authority, Chairman of Western Highlands Government Liquor Licencing Board, Chairman of the Vegemark Ltd, WHP Government Agriculture Business Arm, chairman of Engineering Division Ltd, WHP Government Engineering Arm, chairman of Melpa Properties Ltd, WHP Government Real Estate Business Arm and chairman of Western Highlands Provincial Development Corporation Ltd.
Pila Niningi is among the most highly qualified and well experienced politicians in the new government and is a prodigy of PANGU.

David Lepi
Southern Highlands