Act removes industry, says MRA

THE new Mineral Resources Authority (MRA) Act passed by Parliament last year has removed all industry representation from the MRA board, according to the PNG Chamber of Mines and Petroleum.
According to a statement from the chamber, the passage of the revised Act in February 2018, effectively removed the industry from the MRA board.
The chamber released the statement following claims by Jiwaka Governor Dr William Tongamp in The National on Sept 9 that the industry controlled the MRA. The chamber stated that Tongamp’s comments were factually incorrect and misleading.
“Furthermore, when the industry representatives sat on the MRA board, they have always acted professionally and always in accordance with the Act,” the chamber said.
“It is unfortunate that Governor Tomgamp has cast aspersions on the reputation and good standing of many professional Papua New Guineans that serve on boards like the MRA and other State authorities.”