New IPBC Chairman sworn in

Caption: (L) New IPBC Chairman Paul Nerau, Minister Micah, and IPBC Managing Director Wasantha Kumarasiri  (picture by Lionel Mungae)

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, May 18, 2014 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

THE conference room was filled with heads of various State Owned Entities (SOEs) and heads of private sector companies to witness the swearing in of the new chairman of the Independent Public Business Corporation (IPBC), and a board director also, last week at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Port Moresby.

Coinciding with the first batch of export of the LNG Project from the shores of Papua New Guinea, the trustee of state commercial interests, IPBC, swore in Paul Nerau as the chairman of it board- taking over from Dr Thomas Webster, and also swearing in Board Director Dr Mosey Sau who replaces Felecia Dobunaba.

Nerau, a successful businessman who led the multi-million Bougainville Copper Development Company before the Bougainville Crisis, was described by the Minister of State Owned Enterprises Ben Micah as one of the first Papua New Guineans to build diversified companies during the 70s when nationals were not in business.

In thanking the outgoing chairman, Minister Micah made it clear to those present that the appointment of the new chair was not an indictment on the part of the National Government of Dr Webster.

He thanks Nerau for accepting the role and reminded him of the important chapter the country was moving in, in terms of its business interests and development.

“I thank Mr Nerau for accepting my nomination of you- this is an important time that coincides and complements both this occasion and the first export of the PNG LNG Project,” Minister Micah said.

“The whole weight of the government’s pride in business investment rests on your shoulders.”

“During the last 20 months we have tried our best but it hasn’t been enough because of coordination issues.”

“We must all be aligned to prevent confusion on the intension of government to use SOEs as vehicles for development.”

He told those SOE heads present that it was time to turn the complaints of citizens into admiration of the sector.

In his first address as chairman, Mr Nerau reiterated the huge task ahead- saying that his role was not to reinvent but to mentor.

“I know I am here facing an awesome task, but I stand ready to honour this role by bringing my 36 years of experience In the field of business,” the Chairman said.

“My role is not to reinvent but to mentor all 15 SOEs- if we work together, we will build some of the biggest companies this country has ever seen.”

He emphasised the importance of customer service which he said was lacking, and concluded reminding those present of the opportunities the country now had.

“There are opportunities in life- yesterday it is gone, today it is late, but tomorrow there is an opportunity,” he said.