Vanuatu national, Ron Sumsum has been re-appointed as the head of the Solomon Islands national carrier, Solomon Airlines, following an exhaustive selection process by the Airline's Board.
Sumsum's contract as Chief Executive Officer of Solomon Airlines had lapsed in April this year and he had re-applied for the post.The ni-Vanuatu made headlines and attracted criticism from then Finance Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo last year for his reported 3-million dollar annual salary and for attracting additional allowances to the tune of over 50-thousand Australian dollars as chief pilot of Solomon Airlines.
Local media reports last year had also stated as CEO, Sumsum was entitled to a fully furnished company owned or rented accommodation; all his telecommunications bills such as telephone, mobile and Internet costs are met by Solomon Airlines; and his children are entitled to educational allowances of a maximum of 30-thousand Australian dollars per year - costs met also by Solomon Airlines.
Meanwhile, in a paid press statement released in the local newspaper, Solomon Star newspaper, the Board Chairman Bill Tyson says Captain Ron Sumsum was 'adjudged to be the best person to lead the company in the coming months'.
Tyson explained the Board's decision to re-appoint Sumsum as in line with 'the critical stage the airline was entering into in seeking Operational Safety Audit accreditation and membership with the International Air Transport Association.