National Airports Corporation (NAC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director Mr. Rex Kiponge, was re-arrested yesterday and brought in to the Boroko Police Station in Port Moresby for questioning.
Police questioned Mr. Kiponge a little over 4 hours without laying any formal charges.
He was later locked up in the holding cell with a charge for abuse of office and released last night on a K2,000 court bail.
NAC staff in a show of unity and solidarity protested over the arrest of their Managing Director in front of the Police station while Mr. Kiponge was being questioned.
They came with one strong message calling for an end to political interference in the operations and affairs of the NAC.
General Manager Commercial Mr. Wali Eki, was succinct in his call to the Prime Minister and Minister for Transport and Civil Aviation, Walter Schnaubelt.
“Let us discuss in a round table meeting on the very issue at hand and stop using the police as if Mr. Kiponge was a common criminal to deserve the manner of his arrest.”
He said this was the second arrest on the airport boss and the manner in which he was arrested seemed highly political. It is understood Mr. Kiponge was picked up by police from Loloata Island while at a business planning workshop with his Provincial Airport Managers and transported to the station after lunch.
NAC lawyer Dan Kakaraya called on Minister Schnaubelt to man up and face call a meeting instead of hiding behind the police to solve his problems.
“I call on the Minister, the Police Commissioner and CASA Director to explain to the nation why Mr. Kiponge is been unlawfully detained at Boroko.”
Mr. Kakayraya claimed that those behind Kiponge’s arrest manufactured the charges just to intimidate and harass the NAC boss.