PPL boss to resume next month

NEWLY appointed PNG Power Limited (PPL) managing director Flagon Bekker will resume office next month once the process for his engagement is completed, an official says.
PPL chairman Peter Nupiri told The National that Bekker would take office after all the necessary formalities were completed.
Nupiri said due to the current delays in visa processing, as well as Covid-19 compliance protocols, it would take a month for Bekker to be in the country to assume his new role.
Bekker was appointed by the National Executive Council for a period of three years effective immediately.
He holds a master’s degree in business administration from Cranfield University, England.
He is the founder of Namalloys and Hiperlloy Ltd of Perth, Australia, which specialises in oil and energy.
Nupiri said proper processes were followed in Bekker’s appointment through a comprehensive recruitment process facilitated by the Kumul Consolidated Holdings (KCH) and a credible recruitment firm.
Meanwhile, Bekker’s appointment has not gone down well with the PNG Energy Workers Association (PNGEWA) who have been calling on the government to appoint a Papua New Guinean MD.
General-secretary Santee Margis said more than 600 members from water, energy and petroleum Puma had signed a petition which they planned to present to the PPL board and management.
He said the members/workforce had given 600 plus signatures which indicated their rejection of the expatriate MD.
“The PNGEWA unionised membership are against the appointment of Bekker and the signatures are the workers’ ultimate industrial tool,” Margis said.
“The union members would like to see a local MD who is well versed with the cultural knowledge and understanding of the employees’ workplace issues.”
and local know-how of issue solving.”