Businessman and Chairman of PNG Ports Corporation Limited (PNG Ports), Nathaniel Poya is the latest knight to be appointed by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth.

Bestowed the Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE), the humble businessman and Chairman of the fast growing State Owned Enterprise (SOE) will now be addressed as Sir Nathaniel.

Sir Nathaniel was officially knighted on December 8 at the Buckingham Palace in England by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth.

He was recognised for his contribution to business and PNG Ports in the Queen’s Birthday honours and joins a list of Papua New Guineans that were honoured for their services to the country.

Sir Nathaniel, who is serving his second term as Chairman of the PNG Ports Board, was given the award for providing the leadership and guidance to the SOE that had seen much growth in its business in the last five years.

The milestone achievements include some impact projects with an accumulative cost of over K1.6 billion at key ports in the country. They are:

1. The successful negotiation and contract with Exxon Mobil for pilotage, line and security operations at its Caution Bay operations outside of Port Moresby
2. The Relocation and Construction of Motukea Port Facility worth over K300 million
3. The Lae Tidal Basin and Huon Industrial Park developments worth over K800 million and K300 million respectively
4. Current construction of the 18-storey Head Office complex worth over K25 million
5. Ongoing rehabilitation of smaller ports and existing facilities worth over K200 million

“On behalf of the management and staff of PNG Ports, I would like to extend our congratulations to Sir Nathaniel Poya and his family for this award. The award is timely and most fitting for a man of his calibre who has contributed immensely to the economy through business.”

“We at PNG Ports will continue to support him and work with him as he continues to provide the excellent leadership at Board level and in business in general in PNG, “ Managing Director of PNG Ports, Stanley Alphonse said.

 “Sir Nathaniel’s devotion to his passions in business, contribution to social development and community empowerment, has been recognised.”

“We are proud of this achievement and look forward to continue working with Sir Nathaniel to improve the lives of fellow Papua New Guineans through the business of PNG Ports,” Mr Alphonse added.

Also recognized for services to SOE’s was Helen Rupa, who is employed as an Executive Assistant to the Chief Infrastructure Officer at PNG Ports.

Ms Rupa was accorded the Medal of the Order of the British Empire for Meritorious Service, usually referred to as the British Empire Medal (BEM).

She is a long serving staff member at PNG Ports having clocked 20 years with the Infrastructure Division which is responsible for delivering port infrastructure projects.

Ms Rupa’s two decade experience in compiling and filing the paper work for all projects such as Tender documents, Board submissions, organising payment and raising Purchase Orders, sorting out project proposals, preparing project documents for the boss’ signature, organising meetings, taking the division’s meeting minutes, organising travels, taking phone call messages and the endless list of office tasks, ensures that projects were completed on time and that documentations were in order.

While congratulating Ms Rupa for being recognised through the award, Mr Alphonse commended her for the years served at PNG Ports, and contributing to the company’s continuity and stability