Institution of Engineers Papua New Guinea
Council & Board Directory
The elected and appointed members governing IEPNG and the Professional Engineers Registration Board — setting the standards, ethics, and direction of the engineering profession in Papua New Guinea.
Council Members
Each Council Member also sits on the Professional Engineers Registration Board, wearing both hats as required under the Professional Engineers Registration Act.
President
Mr. Gibson Ali Holemba
Secretary for the Department of Works and Highways and President of IEPNG. Also President of South Pacific Engineers, Chairman of the Professional Engineers Registration Board, Chairman of the National Procurement Commission, and Chairman of the Building Board — bringing sound technical and financial oversight to engineering regulation in PNG.
Deputy President
Mr. Franz A. Hemetsberger
General Manager of Engineering & Infrastructure at Ok Tedi Mine, with prior leadership roles at Newcrest (Lihir) and Barrick (Cowal, Osborne, Granny Smith, Porgera). Sits on the National Energy Authority Appeals Panel and the PNG University of Technology council, and mentors graduate and entry-level engineers toward world-standard professional development.
Past President
Ms. Edea T. Bouraga
Mechanical Engineer and IEPNG representative on the National Procurement Commission board, and member of the PNG Business Council and the Women in Engineering Chapter. Following public service at the Department of Works and Highways, now an entrepreneur focused on sound engineering solutions and empowering women and girls in the profession.
Council Member
Mr. Lave Michael
Chief Inspector of Mines at the Mineral Resources Authority, and a serving member of both the IEPNG Council and the Professional Engineers Registration Board. Brings head-level governance, regulatory, and compliance leadership to engineering decisions in Papua New Guinea.
Honorary Fellow
Mr. Sen Hugo
A member since 1989, elected Fellow in 2006 and named Honorary Fellow in 2024. Council Member (2004–05), Deputy President (2006) and President (2007). Helped secure IEPNG's APEC membership and the IEPNG Haus in Waigani, and drove donor-funded technical and managerial training for members.
Fellow
Mr. Ronald Napitalai
Joined IEPNG as a Graduate Member in 1991, upgraded to Professional Member in 1996 with Structural Registration the same year, and elected Fellow in 2013. A steady voice for a self-reliant, globally connected PNG engineering profession and closer collaboration between government, industry, academia, and engineers.