Tangit suspension queried

 By MALUM NALU

THE PNG Power Ltd board is concerned that the chief executive officer John Tangit has been suspended for too long by executive director John Mangos with no proper reasons given, chairman Larry Andagali says. 

Andagali told The National yesterday that he had put out a circular resolution relating to the suspension of Tangit.

A board meeting was to have been held yesterday but this did not take place because some members were absent. 

“I’m waiting for the board to make a decision,” Tangit said.

“Once the board makes a decision, I will come out clear (on Tangit suspension).”

A PPL board source yesterday confirmed that it was concerned at the prolonged suspension of Tangit.

“We have agreed in principle with the resolution but we want the other board members to give their vote as well,” the source said.

“The guy (Tangit) has been suspended for eight months.

“When he was suspended, he was given a one-page letter with no mention of what his charges were. How unfair is that?”

Andagali said last month that he was concerned with delays into  a report on the investigation into Tangit.

He said the “expensive” investigation was carried out by Australian company Kordamenta.

Tangit was suspended by Mangos on July 31, 2015, over a question raised in Parliament two days earlier by Angoram MP Salio Waipo about rural electrification in East Sepik.

The project is a 90km high-voltage distribution line from Wewak to Angoram to enhance the Sepik Grid. Waipo later said he had no intention of getting Tangit suspended when he asked the question.

Andagali said Tangit’s suspension had been going on for too long and called on Kumul Consolidated Holdings managing-director and PPL board member Garry Hersey to make the report public.

“It (Tangit’s suspension) was brought about by politics,” he said.

“We were forced into a situation where we had no choice. 

“We had to sideline him and he’s still under suspension. 

“I have requested Garry Hersey, who the (KCH) managing director and also a director of PPL, and Dr (Clement) Waine, the Secretary of Public Enterprises, to give us this report.