The former head of Bemobile, Noel Mobiha, has urgedthe government to allow Papua New Guineas to own shares within cell phone company, Bemobile.
His nationalist stance followsthe Vodafone Fiji’s recent decision to pull out of a partial buyout deal.
Mobiha said ordinary Papua New Guineas havethe ability to own part ofthe mobile company.
Mobiha’s comments come only days after an announcement that Bemobile had appointed a new acting CEO and had entered into negotiations withtheIndependent Public Business Corporation to increasPNG’s investment and control ofthe mobile company.
The nationalistic view by Mobiha is one also shared by many thers in various different sectors.
The recent SME Summit in Madang was also focused on Papua New Guinea ownership but inthe small to medium sector.
Papua New Guinea ownership hasn’t always worked well. State owned entities likPNG Power and Telikom continue to struggle with inefficiencies, andthe relative inability to deliver quality services.
Mobiha says removing political interference atthe board and management level is crucial.
The IPBe meanwhile saysthe public ownership by Papua New Guineas is expected to happen within three years, and wider coverage of services is also expected at a steady phase.
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