Former NiuSky MD responds to K2.48 million scandal allegations

Former Managing Director of NiuSky Pacific Limited, Jordan Imal, has publicly addressed allegations surrounding the misappropriation of K2.48 million, asserting his willingness to cooperate with ongoing police investigations.

The payments in question were reportedly made to 26 police officers and 13 individuals accused of impersonating police, in what has become a highly controversial scandal within the state-owned air navigation service provider.

Mr. Imal clarified that the payout was sanctioned and approved by the NiuSky Board of Directors, and not a unilateral decision on his part.

He expressed his readiness to provide evidence or statements if required by authorities and urged Board Chairman Robin Kawat to do the same.

The former MD’s comments follow a statement made by Civil Aviation Minister Wake Goi, which appeared in today’s Post-Courier, suggesting that he was responsible for approving the payments.

Mr. Imal strongly rejected this claim.

“As per the newspaper article, the minister has come out and said I endorsed and approved the engagement is false, because according to documented evidence and records on file internally, the Chairman of the Board of Directors Mr. Robin Kawat has actually endorsed the engagement and approved the payments made,” he said.

He added that he had already submitted a confidential ministerial brief to Minister Goi last week, detailing the matter and including email correspondence and other documents to support his claim.

“Last week I did a confidential high level ministerial brief and gave it to the minister’s office,” Imal said. “In that brief it has email evidence, documented trail of the Board Chairman endorsing and approving those payments and engagements of police officers and others.” 

Imal stressed that such serious allegations must not be ignored and called for all parties involved to assist with the investigation.

“I am available at any time if the police ask me to go give my side of the story, I will go give my side of the story,” he said.

“I am not hiding away and I would like to help bring out the truth surrounding these allegations. As senior public servants, we need to be truthful and honest in our actions by presenting ourselves to police and setting the record straight.”

He also urged Minister Goi to remain neutral and refrain from making public comments that could be seen as influencing the investigation.

“For the minister to come out and mentioned my name on media, I only see it as the minister stooping too low to come out and make a public statement and I guess it will be seen as the minister interfering with police investigations.”

The scandal has raised concerns about governance and financial oversight within NiuSky Pacific Limited, with the public and stakeholders now watching closely as investigations unfold.