Revocation ‘premature’

The National National

THE revocation of Ephraim Wassem’s appointment as acting managing director and chief executive officer of the National Airports Corporation (NAC) by the board on Aug 7 was premature and had ill intent, says Civil Aviation Minister Lekwa Gure.
Gure explained yesterday in a press conference that Wassem was not given the chance to respond to allegations that formed the basis for his removal when the board met to deliberate.
Gure said taking this into consideration along with a comprehensive response provided by Wassem, he as CA Minister and Finance Minister Renbo Paita as the shareholder ministers signed a resolution to reappoint Wassem back to position.
This however, caused board directors Michael Koisen and Joseph Kintau to resign from the board stating claiming “ministerial interference” in Wassem’s reappointment.
Gure said that under the Civil Aviation Act, NAC Act and the Companies Act, the shareholder ministers had the ultimate power to make decisions according to hierarchy and their decision was not illegal.
“As our capacity as shareholder ministers, we have the mandate to make NAC board decisions in the interest of the company itself and the state,” Gure said.
He said the decision to reappoint Wassem was to maintain continuity and stability for NAC especially during the Covid-19 pandemic period until such a time when the normal appointment process of a permanent managing director could be made.
Gure warned that legal action would be taken against those making unsubstantiated allegations against Wassem on social media.
He also clarified a reports in the daily newspapers that stated that three NAC directors had resigned saying that there was only two, Michael Koisen and Joseph Kintau.

10 comments

  • So if the two share holder Ministers have the total authority over NAC than what is the point of having a NAC board headed by a chairman,,,? Something is definitely not right here though its not new to PNG for Ministers to try to control departments, statutory bodies and or SOE’s!

  • I do agree with Kanes Kanarepa, Ministers should not directly interfere with the Business decision of the board. It is up to the person concern to appeal the decision in due process if he or she sees fit.
    The board comprises of highly qualified body of people and they reached a majority decision on this and for a Minister(s) not more than 3 to use their position to derail the process accordingly is of no justice to the NAC as a business.

  • Are the two ministers saying that they have the ultimate power over the members of the board, in terms of hierarchy??? So whatever decision of the Board is null and void, the political head reigns supreme in this governance structure!!!!! How stupid is this, and who the hell gave ultimate power to two political heads to over run the board decision….PNG politics at its best, no wonder State institutions, SOEs, Organizations, departments etc… are under performing…

  • How dumb can we be country men and women……even after a life time with the industry ..and instead of breathing fresh industrial best practice in to the political arena from the aviation business…..may be that is the power of Haus Tambaran ….so helpless !

  • It is at the best interest of organization (NAC) the two honorable ministers stepped in to revoke the decision of the board. But Mr Ephraim must show cause why he should not be removed. To everyone; the Ministers, Md and Board of directors, you are servants to the 8 million people of this blessed nation so serve your purpose with honesty and dedication. And serve your time well because you are previleged and the opportunity you have. God bless PNG

  • I am quite saddened by the shallow response from the two respected Honorable Members and Ministers. But the substantive matter remains and that was the basis on which the removal of the CEO and M.D. was made.

    I am positive that the two highly esteemed gentlemen, messrs Koisen and Kintau had very good reasons to quite their highly paid Directorship jobs as matter of prudence and essence of Corporate Governance.

    My thoughts.

    • This two gentlemen, Koisen and Kintau made the right decision by resigning. They are highly esteemed professionals and they will always hold their heads high because their integrity is intact. Same can’t be said for politicians.

  • Oh minister, what a shameful respond. Kintau and Koisen are well respected professionals in the private sector who have earned their way hence can not succumb to political intereference like department heads like Mr Agus whom all of you feed from the same basket.

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