Airline shake-up plea
By MOHAMMED AL A' ALI
MANAMA
PARLIAMENT yesterday demanded that Gulf Air president and chief executive Bjorn NŠf be sacked, saying he is not up to the job.The call follows a meeting between parliamentary financial and economic affairs committee and airline board members, led by executive committee chairman and director Jawad Habib Jawad.
A statement issued later through parliament's general secretariat called for a "search for a new chief executive who has the qualifications and experience necessary for a commercial airline".
It also called for four expatriate chiefs of various divisions to be replaced by Bahrainis.
Of six such posts, only two are held by Bahrainis.
"It is important to Bahrainise higher leadership posts, especially higher administrative posts, giving Bahrainis priority in employment, education and training," said the statement.
It stressed that the company should not get rid of any Bahrainis, but questioned the education and experience of expatriate employees, including those in the most senior posts.
MPs say the airline's problems have continued under Mr NŠf's leadership and that he has employed expatriates in high-ranking posts for which they have neither the experience nor qualifications.
The meeting, called to discuss the company's problems and measures taken to solve them, was also attended by Finance Ministry officials.
It was convened by the committee, which has been holding extensive meetings with the company.
"Nothing has changed over the past two years, since the new chief executive was appointed - on the contrary, he has created more problems and this is why we believe he should go," said committee vice-chairman Abdulhaleem Murad.
"What's worse is that no-one knows who is running the company - is it the board, Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company or the ministry?
"We welcome anyone with the qualification and credentials to be part of the management, whether Bahraini or not, but the current people don't match these criteria.
"Out of the six (division) chiefs only two are Bahrainis and what's worse is that the strategy consultant, who is also an expatriate, is 35 years old, which means that he has no experience and we are not sure about his educational background."
Committee chairman Abduljalil Khalil said the company should come up with a strategy to Bahrainise rather than "foreignise".
"Bring in qualified people, who could help train and guide Bahrainis to take leadership posts in future, but don't bring in people who do nothing.
"I am not saying from the top of my head that they are doing nothing - the company's deficit is a good example of what I am talking about.
"Two years of nothing, two years of more problems, two years of no transparency and the company is yet to provide parliament or the public with real numbers on its current financial status."
Mr Khalil said that parliamentary blocs and independent MPs postponed setting up a committee to probe into the company's affairs two weeks ago, but was set to take it up again next week.
"We can't go on listening to the same thing again and again and again. We have to investigate the problems and a probe committee is the solution.
"The postponement decision was taken because we wanted to have precise fields of investigation."
MPs quizzed airline representatives about senior officials' nationalities, education and experience, demanding that all six (division) chiefs be Bahrainis.
They also questioned officials on the alleged mounting losses and whether the company was following the Tender Board's directives.
The meeting also focused on the airline's contracts for maintenance work and the amount spent.
Committee secretary Dr Aziz Abul said that it would hold more meetings to try to solve problems.
"We have asked for information in writing, in addition to what the committee has received."
Gulf Air officials were not available for comment.
The cycle starts again!