Pundari: I have no interest in NAC
Recent speculation that I had anything to do with the appointment of Rex Kiponge as the acting MD and CEO of the National Airports Corporation (NAC) is misleading.
The resolution for the Board to appoint Mr Kiponge was initiated by the portfolio Minister for Civil Aviation. The same way he does not interfere with me in Finance or Rural Development, I also do not tell him how to run Civil Aviation affairs.
This is also how the Prime Minister runs Cabinet. Unlike in the past, Hon. James Marape respects the portfolio Minister to make the best judgement.
The Finance Minister is joint shareholder to many other entities, one of them being NAC. As custodian of the PFMA and all Public Monies, the Minister of Finance is required to provide checks and balance; nothing more.
Operational oversight and policy matters are the sole mandate of the portfolio Minister.
Mr Kiponge hails from Kompiam Ambum, which is my electorate, but he is also a Papua New Guinean and how he got employment with NAC in the past, or how he was chosen by the Board now is entirely his own personal and professional matter. Nothing to do with me in any form.
I never lobbied or initiated anything on his behalf. I have not even met one Board Member of NAC in regards to Kiponge’s appointment.
How or why Mr Kiponge was selected to clean the mess in NAC created over the last 3 years was the prerogative of the portfolio Minister and Board.
In actual fact I delayed the signing of the resolution for 5 days seeking clearance from my department. I also made it clear it was the Board’s responsibility to suspend and appoint the MD.
Whatever happened before or after that, I have no part in and absolutely no idea.
Furthermore, I make it very clear now that I have not requested for or will not seek to have any dealings, association or interest with NAC.
None of my personal and or associated businesses will be seeking any contracts from NAC. I also have not, and will not requesting for any personal favours from Mr Kiponge now or in the future.
That is my assurance to the public. This is a public office and I am obligated to make this clear.
I request, NAC staff and management, both current and aspiring; contractors to NAC; Civil Aviation staff and associates; the Civil Aviation community; fans; friends; haters; dedicated political rivals; and the general public to disassociate my name from any conversation regarding both the NAC and Mr Rex Kiponge from now on.
It is very frustrating when my name is being thrown around by a few people with vested interest and is believed by others based on assumptions.
Now that I have made this crystal clear, I warn that I will not hesitate to use every legal avenue available to protect my integrity and name.
There should be no further misleading comments, assumptions or implications in regards to myself and this issue.
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