After two and a half years, the National Executive Council (NEC) has finalized the appointment of a new board of directors for the PNG Coffee Industry Corporation (CIC), CIC’s media reports.
According to the report, eight of the twelve new members were sworn into office last Friday (November 4, 2016) in the presence of Eastern Highlands Provincial Judge Gerard Vetunawa, Agriculture Minister Hon.Tommy Tomscoll, DAL Secretary Dr. Vele Pat Illa’ava and CIC staff and management.
The eight of the twelve newly appointed non-ex officio directors and an ex-officio director include Mr. Joseph Kom (Simbu Smallholders Coffee Growers Association-SHCGA), Mr. Jerry Anisi (Momase SHCGA), Mr. Patrick Komba (Enga & others SHCGA), Mr. Gad Wamiri (Plantation & Processors Association), Mr. Nick Ello (EHP SHCGA), Mr. Henry Ame (Exporter’s Council), Mr. Ellison Ketauwo (PNG Blockholders Coffee Growers Association) and Dr. Vele Pat Illa’ava (Secretary Dept. Agriculture & Livestock).
The other four Directors yet to be sworn in are Jack Kulam (WHP SHCGA), Peter Hawi (Southern Region SHCGA), Secretary or Alternate (Department of Commerce and Industry) and Secretary or Alternate (Department of Treasury).
The last full term of the Coffee Industry Board was in 2013. Since then, there had been an Interim board thereafter until NEC on the 26th October, 2016, appointed the non-ex officio members to the new board.
Whilst congratulating the new members, Agriculture Minister Hon. Tommy Tomscoll urge them to uphold the values and vision of CIC.
“Your first responsibility is not to this board but to ensure that the association you represent is functional and is operating. You must continue to consult with your association members and hold association meetings.”
Mr. Tomscoll said the industry will be driven by associations as it is underpinned by smallholders and by blockholders.
Tomscoll took the opportunity and commended CIC CEO Mr. Charles Dambui and his management and staff for an excellent job in turning around the organization to what it has come to this day.
CEO Dambui in congratulating all the directors said the government had confidence in the new team to lead the industry forward.
“On behalf of CIC staff and management, we have confidence and trust in you all to provide a pathway for the growth of the industry.”
He added the challenge now is to work with the limited resources that are on hand and think strategically to drive the industry with these resources.
“I believe this newly appointed board will provide that leadership and pathway and show us how we can deliver and solve some of the problems our farmers are facing.”
Mr. Dambui highlighted that the new board has a good mixture of people with wealth of experience from the growers to the exporter’s level and thanked them for accepting their directorship for the next 3 years.
