Prime Minister James Marape has assured the people of Papua New Guinea that the appointment of a person to the position of the Chief Executive Officer of the National Airports Corporation and all ex-officio appointments to the Board of Directors is done based on merit.
Prime Minister Marape said these in response to questions raised on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday (29/11/22) regarding the appointment of the Chief Executive Officer.
He informed Parliament that the National Airports Corporation is a State Owned Aviation Enterprise, therefore, the Chief Executive Officer is appointed by the National Executive Council.
“This is provided for under the Regulatory Statutory Authorities (Appointment to Certain Offices) Act 2004,” Prime Minister Marape said.
“In this case, we will talk about an appointment to a vacant position. When the Board of the National Airports Corporation, finds that the position of the Chief Executive Officer is vacant, they will put out an advertisement calling for applications.
“The applications are collected and screened and short-listed candidates are interviewed and screened further until three most suitable candidates are identified and short-listed.
“The NAC Board will then recommend the three short-listed candidates for further screening and endorsement, then the most suitable candidate will then be recommended by the Minister for Civil Aviation for appointment by the National Executive Council.”
Prime Minister Marape said the termination of the Chief Executive Officer of NAC is also provided for under the same Act that provides for the appointment and it is also covered under the Civil Aviation (Amendment) Act 2016 as a Air Traffic Service Personnel License holder.
He said in both these Acts, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, can make recommendations or a report to the Board of NAC or the Minister for Civil Aviation for the termination of any Air Traffic Service Personnel License holder, including the Chief Executive Officer of NAC, should they find the officer(s) to be unfit to work or hold office during routine investigations to re-issue Air Traffic Service Personnel Licenses or if safety concerns were raised by the concerned public or person(s) and ensuing investigations find there is a safety risks to safe Aviation operation.
Prime Minister Marape said the Chief Executive Officer of NAC is held accountable in all instances for safety risk in the Aviation sector of Papua New Guinea because he/she is the Aerodrome License Holder for the 22 airports in the country.
He said in terms of Section 50 (f) and (g) of the Civil Aviation (Amendment) Act 2016, it provides for and ensures that any Aviation Officer(s) who were found to have committed a transport safety offense or has contravened or failed to comply with any regulation or rule under the CA Act before the Amended Act came into effect are still held accountable.
“In terms of the Independence of CASA and NAC, we will check on some of the issues recommended including preserving their independence and functionality without much political interference and look at including them in future amendments,” Prime Minister Marape said.
The Prime Minister thanked all Members of Parliament for their support of the Bill saying that safety is very important in the Aviation public transport system space and must not be compromised.
He again assured Parliament that operational issues that were raised, including the Independence of the CASA and NAC will be tidied in future amendments.
He said at the moment, the independence of CASA and NAC is protected by the Civil Aviation (Amendment) Act 2016 where any recommendation or directions from the Political Head will not be effective or effected without the approval of the Director or in terms of appointments and revocation of appointments, the approval of the Chairman of the Board of either CASA or NAC.
Prime Minister Marape also informed Parliament that there was an attempt to sabotage the passage of the Civil Aviation (Amendment) Act 2016 on Monday, November 28, which is an attack on democratic process of the legislature.
He said this is an attack on the democratic process at the highest level, therefore, the person who allegedly claimed to be a casual staff of the First Legislative Council (FLC) and asked Parliament staff for the bill to be sabotage must be investigated and prosecuted.
The Prime Minister added that he has asked the Speaker and Clerk to investigate and to prosecute those who want to sabotage the law-making processes.
“We will prosecute those who attempt to infiltrate our law-making processes.”