By ORCHY REX
Businessman and owner of Heli Solutions helicopter company, Captain James Pima, was sworn in today as the Deputy Chairman of the Tourism Promotion Authority (TPA) Board following his appointment by the National Executive Council.
Eight other members were also sworn in, marking the first full TPA Board to be established since 2004 after years of dormancy.
TPA Chief Executive Officer Eric Mossman Uvovo commended Capt Pima and welcomed him on board, saying the authority was fortunate to have someone of his calibre join the leadership team.
“We’re blessed to have you here and we look forward to the energy and vision that you bring on board for the next two or three years going forward,” Mr. Mossman said.
Capt Pima, who is the Managing Director of Heli Solutions, a helicopter charter company based in Port Moresby with major operations in Mt. Hagen, said he was grateful for the government’s confidence in his appointment.
A former PNG Defence Force pilot, Capt Pima served during the Bougainville Crisis before transitioning into the private sector.
“I left service and went into private practice. I flew around as a young man in the industry, basically working for a lot of the helicopter companies. And then in 2011, I started Heli Solutions helicopter company. So I’ve been In operations as a businessman for 15 years now,” he said.
He added that his appointment to the TPA Board was an opportunity to inject “fresh air and oversight” into the tourism industry.
“The industry needed a bit of fresh air and maybe a bit of oversight that might be able to contribute in the board in steering the Tourism Promotion Board to the right direction,” Capt Pima said.
He expressed appreciation to the government and the Minister for Tourism, Belden Namah, for having faith in his abilities.
“I’d like to, on behalf of the board, firstly thank the Government for entrusting us with the responsibility of steering the Tourism Promotion Authority for the next two years,” he said.
“Special mention to Minister for Tourism Honorable Belden Namah, for having the faith and trust in pushing us and endorsing us through Cabinet to our eventual appointment.”
Capt Pima acknowledged that Minister Namah’s decision was based on confidence in the new board members’ individual expertise and experience.
“I think, at some level, he probably has some working knowledge or background information on our own individual talents and capabilities. That’s why we’re here, because of his level of comfort in our business and what we can contribute to the industry.”
He also thanked Mr Mossman, senior management and staff, for organizing the swearing-in event and welcoming the new members.
“Eventually we’ll get this first panel out of the way so that we can, you know, focus on citizens,” he said.
Capt Pima emphasized that re-establishing the TPA Board was crucial for progress within the tourism sector.
“Because as we all know, without board approval and management approvals and processes and procedures, nothing moves,” he said.
“I think this is the first step in the right direction for the next two years.”
The new TPA Board will serve for a two-year term, after which the appointments will be reviewed for possible renewal.