This public notice serves to inform all project area landowners under Petroleum Development License 1 (PDL1) that the Mineral Resources Development Company Limited (MRDC) will resume engagement with disputing Clan executives and leaders from the Tuguba Region commencing May 2026, to complete the Clan Executive Appointment and Director Election process.
MRDC successfully achieved 84 per cent completion of the Clan Executives and Directors Election in Hides, Hela Province, in 2024. However, the program was suspended due to internal clan leadership disputes, and a court injunction.
In April 2025, MRDC reconvened the Clan Executives Mediation Program for two months at the Hilton Hotel in Port Moresby in compliance with court orders made in OS 38 of 2025 Larry Andagali v. MRDC & Ors and OS 39 of 2025 Howard Lole v. MRDC & Ors. The process was called off due to continued leadership impasse on the clan executive roles.
In October 2025, MRDC initiated engagement specifically for the outstanding Hiwa Clans. The process for the Hiwa Clan is now completed.
This round of meeting will be specifically for the three outstanding clans of Tuguba Region – Jugu, Ware 2 and Tabu – based on MRDC policy and guidelines. Directors’ elections will be facilitated independently by the PNG Electoral Commission. Process integrity is paramount, and the process is designed to help clan leaders who are in dispute vying clan executive roles to reason and get resolution.
MRDC urges all participating to exercise leadership and good faith, to resolve the clan executive disputes. Establishment of the clan executives is key to account opening. Payments cannot be paid to the Clan accounts if they are not open. The wait continues for the beneficiaries. We all have a duty of care to ensure accounts are opened and benefits can be paid to the beneficiaries.
It is imperative that Tuguba Leaders take note of the schedules of your respective clan’s meeting times. There will be no extension and changes to the dates below.
| No | Clan | Morning Session | Lunch Break | Afternoon Session | Date |
| 1 | Mobilization | Tari/Hagen – Port Moresby | 02/05/26 | ||
| Tari/Hagen – Port Moresby | 03/05/26 | ||||
| 2 | Tabu | 9am -12pm | 12pm-1pm | 1pm-4pm | 04/05/26 |
| 9am -12pm | 12pm-1pm | 1pm-4pm | 05/05/26 | ||
| 3 | Ware2 | 9am -12pm | 1pm-4pm | 1pm-4pm | 06/05/26 |
| 9am -12pm | 1pm-4pm | 1pm-4pm | 07/05/26 | ||
| 4 | Jugu | 9am -12pm | 12pm-1pm | 1pm-4pm | 08/05/26 |
| 9am -12pm | 12pm-1pm | 1pm-4pm | 09/05/26 | ||
| 5 | Demobilization | Port Moresby – Tari/Hagen | 10/05/26 | ||
| Port Moresby – Tari/Hagen | 11/05/26 | ||||
For further information, please contact project coordinators: Mr. Kuns Boli – 7175 4867 and/or Mr. Mel Yapi – 79670747.
Thank you for your understanding and participation.