19/09/2025
KPHL BOARD SUSPENDS SONK; APPOINTS LIRIA AS ACTING MANAGING DIRECTOR
Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited Board of Directors announced today that they have passed a resolution to suspend KPHL Managing Director Mr Wapu Sonk and appoint Mr Luke Liria as acting Managing Director.
Chairman Gerea Aopi said this unanimous board resolution was necessary to protect the integrity of the KPHL Board and management.
“The Board is aware of internal issues involving the Trustee/Shareholder, former chairman and directors, the managing director and the new Board, activities which have ended up in the National and Supreme Courts and affected the activities and operations of the KPHL Board and management,” Mr Aopi said.
He noted that the new Board had taken the view that in the interest of good governance and ethics it was in the best interest of the KPHL to suspend Mr Sonk, to bring stability and integrity to the relationship between the new board and management of KPHL.
“This transparent and responsible approach protects the integrity of this flagship PNG petroleum company and also allows the managing director to address his personal issues ,” Mr Aopi said.
This resolution is the most significant made by the new KPHL Board after the Supreme Court’s ruling confirming their appointment by Prime Minister James Marape, as sole shareholder of KPHL on behalf of the State.
The Prime Minister’s appointment of the new KPHL Board had been challenged in the National Court by former Chairman Dr Benedict Yaru on behalf of his board members. The National Court, presided by Justice Pauline Bre, on 13th August 2025, ruled that Dr Yaru had no standing as his term had expired on 2nd September 2023 – over two years ago.
Dr Yaru had appealed to the Supreme Court, presided by Justice David Cannings, who on 25th August 2025 affirmed the National Court ruling of 13th August 2025.
“Changes in boards when directors’ tenures expire is a standard practice in line with the Companies Act and specific KPHL legislation. This has been tested and confirmed in both the National Court and Supreme Court in the case of the new KPHL Board,” Mr Aopi said.
The new KPHL Board of Directors are: Mr Gerea Aopi (Chairman), Mr Sandaram Srinivisan, Mr Jacob Anga and Mr George Gware.
“I want to thank outgoing KPHL Board members led by former chairman Dr Benedict Yaru for their tenure in office and the accomplishments of the company during that tenure,” Mr Aopi said.
“As a new Board we look forward to working with the KPHL management but the cloud of allegations hanging over Managing Director Mr Wapu Sonk must be cleared transparently and expeditiously, hence the Board resolution.”
“Now our appointment is confirmed, we must deliver and add value to affirm the confidence of the Prime Minister in our individual and collective appointments.”
“From the start, we want to assure all stakeholders that the new board will not be hasty in making major and wholesale changes in the operations of the State-owned company. The company belongs to the people of Papua New Guinea and the trustee shareholder, Prime Minister Marape, has made it clear that Kumul Petroleum is an important entity that has to continue its mandated activities,” Mr Aopi said.
“The new Board assures all stakeholder groups such as the impacted PNG LNG Project landowners with an interest in the Kroton Equity option managed by KPHL, that we will review these arrangements and other project activities to ensure they are being carried out in line with legislation and signed agreements.
“We are very aware of the important role KPHL plays now, and will also play in petroleum developments that are in the pipeline. Like other Kumul companies, KPHL must demonstrate proper governance in everything that it does. We will ensure that this takes place.”
“Our primary role is to ensure that good governance prevails as defined by the appropriate transparency and accountability of the company. We will lead from the front beginning at Board level to ensure the highest integrity, then to management and operational levels.”
“Please be assured: it is not for us to fix what is not broken. We will strive to ensure we get a full understanding of all KPHL activities directed by senior company management and review these in sufficient detail - by board directors and relevant board sub-committees,” Mr Aopi said.
