The issues surrounding the National Airports Corporation are far from over even after the government stepped in to stabilize operations by suspending controversial Managing Director Rex Kiponge over management issues and appointing a caretaker Managing Director in Joseph Tupiri.
Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Walter Schnaubelt made no reservation after revealing in a media gathering that NAC was financially broke.
“Now that we have installed an acting Managing Director, part of his conditions of employment include drafting a terms of reference (TOR) to seek a financial institution to come and conduct a full audit of NAC. I need to know exactly where we are financially.”
The minister said he is not pointing fingers at anyone right now – however the public will be informed on the outcome of the audit after its completion.
“I hope that all staff within NAC will be paid accordingly, because we do have financial constraints as we speak right now. There’s not enough money in NAC and that’s the dilemma going forward.”
The Minister also stated that there’s a lot of confusion in the suspension of Mr. Kiponge. He denied having any personal issues with Mr Kiponge to get rid of him.
Minister Schnaubelt said non-compliance issues were piling up while Mr. Kiponge didn’t perform to the standards and requirements of the governments expectations hence his suspension.