Minister hails PX resilience

Caption: Minister William Duma.

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, April 17, 2016 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG) 

MINISTER for Public Enterprise and State Investments, William Duma has hailed the resilience of the country’s national flag carrier Air Niugini in delivering it services to the country under great management.

Minister Duma said that the airline has grown from strength to strength with boards and management changing hands- he hailed the current management led by Board Chairman Sir Frederick Reiher and CEO Simon Foo.

“Even before I entered Parliament I was one of the legal advisors with the airline and all I can say this time around we have a team that has gelled.”

“We have a board that is led by our statesman Sir Frederick Reier, and management by Simon Foo came to the table with experience in the public sector and previous experience with Air Niugini so having a team that really complements well.”

“When you have a team led by the board and management well you really do not have many problems. Air Niugini has grown from strength to strength,” the minister said.

He said the airline has never let the country down, despite the difficulties faced by businesses especially in the airline industry.

“Many have said that Papua New Guinea is a very difficult country to run particularly in the aviation industry.”

“Yet despite some of the numerous, sometimes unrealistic surcharges that we impose as government, they manage to turn things around and continue to deliver at least some dividends to us and no one can take that away from you.”

He said that Air Niugini still maintains its place as a very attractive company adding that that was not the government’s intension to sell it off, but however is a testament added to its great performance since its inception.

“As minister responsible I am very proud and I see a great future.”