Mine workers stop work, await PM

 GOILALA MP Daniel Mona yesterday called on Petromin Holdings acting chief excutive Sam Inguba not to interfere in the operations of the Tolukuma gold mine in Goilala until the the prime minister’s visit next week.

Mona claimed in the statement that Petromin Holdings Ltd, under Joshua Kalinoe and Inguba, had run down the mine’s operations and should not be welcomed in Tolukuma.

A team of Petromin officials headed by Linda Brown flew to the mine site yesterday but were told not to return as they were not welcomed.

Mona said the mine employees, landowners and the community told them to stay out of the mine until their greivances were voiced to Prime Minister Peter O’Neill next week.

A workers’ spokesman Dr Newton Albert said the workers went on strike last Friday.

Mona called on Police Commissioner Tom Kulunga not to send a police mobile squad into the mine site as there were no law and order issues.

Mona and O’Neill are expected to arrive in Tolukuma to address the isssue.