By ZEBEDEE KUMPIO
PRIME Minister James Marape has confirmed the sacking of Mr McRonald Nale as PNG Power Limited Chairman.
PM Marape made this known yesterday at the Manasupe House in Port Moresby.
Marape announced that Lae-based businessman and PNG Power Limited board member, Mr Malcolm Lewis, has been elevated to the role of board chairman.
“I confirm that Chairman McRonald Nale has been replaced, and we have elevated a very esteemed Papua New Guinean businessman, Mr. Malcolm Lewis, to the chairmanship,” Marape said.
He noted that PNG Power has been a serious concern for both the government and the country, and that no leadership within PNG Power has yet found a solution.
Marape stated that he and his ministers are constantly blamed for PNG Power’s failure to provide consistent electricity supply in the country.
He said Lewis has been tasked with auditing the finances of PNG Power and assessing the current state of the company.
“My government has invested K300 million into PNG Power over the last three years, and it’s unacceptable to me that Port Moresby and Lae still experience blackouts,” PM Marape said.
“Mr Nale has served his time, but unfortunately, we felt that new leadership was necessary at the board level, and the board will then scrutinize the management.”
He said that PNG Power, despite being a monopoly in the electricity sector, continues to experience a decline in business productivity.
PM Marape said he will write to Kumul Consolidated Holdings (KCH), the parent company, to advise the new chairman to audit the finances of PNG Power and review its performance over the last five to six years.
“I have absolute trust in Mr. Lewis. He is a strong businessman from Lae who does not tolerate ‘ifs’ and ‘buts,’ so hopefully, he runs PNG Power as a business,” PM Marape added.
