About Kepson Pupita

AS a boy brought up in a village, Kepson Pupita is very community-oriented. down-to-earth and The boy who used to collect firewood and water, and looked after the pigs at Porane village, Kagua-Erave district in Southern Highlands, Kepson is now the chief executive officer of the PNG Oil Palm Industry Corporation (OPIC). Kepson Pupita's mother Puname Undi. Kepson Pupita's father Pupoita Mu'u. Kepson, 50, dedicates his success to his upbringing in the Seventh Day Adventist Church.

I thank the SDA church in Kagua-Erave district for elevating me to be where I am today. I was raised up in the SDA church which is part of my life." His parents Pupita Muʼu and Kuame Undi still live in the village. Kepson is the eldest in a family of six-four boys and two girls. His late wife Matalina Soga passed away early this year. She was from Mu'u village in the Sinasina-Yongumugl district of Chimbu. He is now looking after their four sons and four daughters who are in primary and secondary schools.

1978-83

Kepson attended Kagua Primary School

1984-87

Kagua High School

1990

1988-89

Sogeri National High School completing grades 11 and 12

University of Technology Bachelor in Business Accounting degree course. But a student strike in 1991 forced him to leave.

1991-93

He came to Port Moresby to look for work and was hired by a company as a filing clerk with a fortnight pay of K42.

1994

Return to University to complete the Diploma

1996

Graduated in Business Accounting

1997

Employed as an auditor with the Auditor- General's Office auditing the books of statutory bodies.

1998-2000

Employed as financial controller

2000-2003

Worked Nestle PNG LTD as Factory Administration Manager in Lae.

2004

Moved to Unitech as the Finance Administration Manager of the Department Of Distance Open Learning

2011-2015

Joined Hargy Oil Palms Ltd (HOPL) as Accounts Administration

2018

Joined OPIC as Financial Controller

2022-current

Acting CEO & General Secretary of OPIC

There is a huge potential to develop more oil palm blocks in Transgogol, Ramu Valley, the Sepik Plains, Purari Delta, the wet and swamp lands of Western, Jimi Valley, Waghi Valley, Markham valley and Simbirigi Valley.

"We are looking at six million to ten million hectares to plant oil palm. PNG has the potential to bring in K100 billion to K130 billion."

He suggests that the Oil Palm Act 1992 is old and needs to be amended.

"Technology is fast changing and we need to make changes to the current legislation to suit the current business trend. Legislative changes are needed to also make land available."

in his own words....

MR KP's Journey through the years

2008-2010

Joined KK Kingston Ltd. as Cost/Management Accountant