PNG Power like a toxic organisation, says Barker

By PETER ESILA
PNG Power Ltd is looking more like a toxic organisation, containing severe vested interests which are being protected, says Institute of National Affairs executive director Paul Barker.
Barker was responding yesterday to the resignation of managing director Flagon Bekker on Sunday.
He said having eight managing directors over six years clearly highlighted that something was wrong.
“These (managing directors) included competent engineers and managers with a power background, as well as managers and accountants with a wider business experience,” he said.
“Some may have had stronger credentials than others, but it does indicate that the task was made unduly hard.”
Barker said addressing PNG’s electricity provision challenge “will be tough, but it’s achievable”.
He said the managing directors had been leaving because the working conditions or demands under which they had been operating were “impossible”, whether it came from the Government, board, unions and/or staff, and “persons with a strong vested interest to maintain the status quo”.
Barker said it was important to examine why the managing directors were leaving as part of steps to make PNG Power a functioning and publicly accountable entity.
“The vested interests need to be exposed, so that the next (managing director) can get on with the job and focus on bringing down costs and wastage, investing in competitive and clean power generation, restoring aged plant and equipment and not constantly looking over his/her back.”
“He or she will need firm backing from a reliable minister and board, and competent support and advice, including from development partners, with a government that’s willing to provide backing even for challenging reforms,” Barker said.
“The separate role of regulator is also important, as it’s about looking at PNG’s wider energy requirements, not just PNG Power’s corporate interests, and enabling more investment and competitive power supply to meet demand.”