Port Moresby, 22 August 2024
THE principal landowners of Hides PDL 7 in Hela Province welcome the appointment of new PNG Power Limited (PPL) chairman Mal Lewis.
In welcoming the announcement by Prime Minister James Marape, Umbrella Hides PDL 7 Association Inc. Chairman Erick Hawai Ako said the appointment of prominent Lae businessman Mal Lewis “is exactly what the doctor ordered” for the ailing State Owned Enterprise (SOE).
Mr Hawai Ako said: “The National Government has finally come to its senses and appointed a chairman who has both the business acumen and track record of SOEs crisis management to revamp PPL and re-energise the electricity industry in PNG.
“Mr Lewis is the owner and chairman of Lae-based Hornibrook NGI Ltd, Papua New Guinea’s premier steel fabrication and building company, which has a long history of construction and steel fabrication operations in PNG since 1943.
“Since 1994 when Mr Lewis assumed full control of Hornibrook, he has built a reputation as a no-nonsense businessman who has been responsible for the company’s great success.
“Mr Lewis has also utilised his business knowledge and experience by serving on the boards of several SOEs, including the former Civil Aviation Authority, PNG Ports Corporation, Telikom PNG Ltd and National Airports Corporation.
“Mr Lewis has also built a reputation as a trouble shooter in SOE crisis management and his background in aviation, airports, project management and telecoms stand him in good stead for this new challenge as chairman of PNG Power.
“We believe Mr Lewis will deliver the goods not only for PPL but the electricity industry as a whole in PNG. Our Independent Power Producers (IPPs) will greatly benefit from his services and contribution to the industry.
“Moreover, his appointment ensures continuity of the Gas to Electricity (GTE) project from Hides to Porgera under the New Porgera Project and the Dirio Power Project that supplies electricity to the Highlands and Momase regions.
“Mr Lewis’s appointment as PPL chairman is exactly what the doctored ordered for this ailing SOE and we commend PM Marape and his Cabinet for their smart and wise decision.”
