The Board of Directors of Gopera Investment Ltd, in the East Kikori LLG of Gulf have rejected the continuity of former Kikori MP, Mark Maipakai as chairman and director of Gopera Investment Ltd.
The Board made the decision after Maipakai allegedly mismanaged the landowners’ funds.
Company Director Luke Damu said Maipakai had not delivered to the people in terms of tangible services for the last 15 years as the capacity of the chairman of the company.
He said he has been using the directors who are semi illiterate to sign agreements with Rimbunan Hijau to do loggings in their area for his own benefits.
“The three satellite towns of Baimuru, Kikori and Ihu have continued to slide backwards in development while the people of East Kikori have sadly missed out on loyalty benefits from their timber resources under their contract with Rimbunan Hijau.”
Mr Damu said Maipakai after hearing of his removal, ordered the Community Based Police in Kikori to arrest the directors and put them behind bars at the Kerema police cells.
He said the directors are out on bail and have laid complaints regarding the matter.
“There is really no need to arrest the directors as they have made the decision for the good of the people.”
The Gopera Investments Ltd was established in 1992 as a timber permit Holder Company by the people of East Kikori to develop and harvest timber products in partnership with Rimbunan Hijau.