The PNG Cabinet last Friday suspended managing director Dr. Chapau of the National Fisheries Authority (NFA and appointed Lamiller Pawut as acting managing director.
Fisheries Minister Alois Kingsley on Monday announced the change, citing allegations of serious financial mismanagement at NFA. “The allegations relate to NFA funds misuse, ineffective control and lack of implementation of donor funding projects, including strained relationship with donor agencies, lack of proficient partnership with the fishing industry sector, and significantly, lack of consultation and briefs to the minister responsible for fisheries,†Mr. Kingsley said in a statement, also making references to a payment of K306,800 by Dr. Chapau to his own account.
Dr. Chapau's appointment was made under controversial circumstances, replacing Dr Antony Lewis. Dr Antony Lewis, was a highly respected ADB consultant overseeing projects in PNG, who helped set up systems and processes and was involved in trimming back an over-staffed organization of 200 to an efficient and competent team of 60.
In PNG many considered the fact that Mr. Lewis was forced out of his job, based on dubious local political interests, as a great loss for the professional development of the PNG fisheries authority.
The new Fisheries managing director has been tasked with the job of investigating the allegations against Dr. Chapau.
Source: PNG Press