Fiji National Provident Fund chief executive officer, Aisake Taito, (left), talks to the media after the signing of the Bemobile contract. With him are the Fiji National Provident Fund chairman Ajith Kodagoda (middle) and bemobile new chief executive officer, Pradeep Lal (right).
By ROSI DIVOVERATA
Pradeep Lal has been appointed the regional chief executive officer of the new Vodafone-managed bemobile company.
Mr Lal is to replace acting chief executive officer, Michael Ah Koy.
He will oversee bemobile operations in Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and Fiji.
Vodafone Fiji Ltd sponsorship and public relations manager, Liga Gukisuva confirmed that Mr Lal will be based in Suva.
“He will continue to hold his present position as chief finance officer and chief operating officer of Vodafone Fiji Ltd,” Mr Gukisuva said.
The majority shareholders in the company are the Independent Public Business Corporation with 51 per cent shares and the Fiji National Provident Fund with 40 per cent shares.
Under an agreement signed in Port Moresby last week between PNG and Fiji stakeholders representatives, Vodafone assumes management of bemobile which includes rights for bemobile to use the Vodafone brand in PNG and the Solomon Islands.
The remaining shareholding is split between the Asian Development Bank-0.99 per cent and Capital Way-8.01 per cent.
Capital Way comprises GEMS Holding (3.96 per cent), Steamships (1.88 per cent), Nambawan Supa (0.80 per cent), Pacific Rumana (0.53 per cent), Nasfund (0.42 per cent) and PNGSDP (0.42 per cent).