The Board of Mineral Resources Development Company (MRDC) today announced the appointment of Mr. Howard Lole as director elect, representing the Tuguba region of PDL1 (Petroleum Development License 1), to the Board of Gas Resources Gigira Limited (GRGL).
GRGL is the Corporate Trustee responsible for the equity and royalty benefit for the PDL 1, in the PNGLNG Project.
Mr Lole was appointed by the shareholder after an election held on 21 August 2026 at the Port Moresby Hilton Hotel resulted in a tie between Lole and Eric Kambe. The appointment concludes the two directorship requirement for the Tuguba representation to the Board of Gas Resources Gigira Limited (GRGL).
This appointment follows the completion of the prescribed electoral process and a comprehensive review by the MRDC Board. After due consideration and deliberation, the Board was satisfied that all applicable legal, governance, and procedural requirements had been duly met.
Accordingly, MRDC, made the appointment, in its capacity as shareholder, pursuant to Section 176 of the Oil and Gas Act, the MRDC Authorization Act, the Constitution of GRGL, the relevant Trust Deed, and the GRGL Directors Election Rules.
Mr Lole has over 25 years’ experience in the public and private sectors, in financial, industrial and mining sectors.
He is currently a director on the boards of Tolu Minerals Ltd, and the TWL Group.
Mr Lole holds a Degree in Mining Engineering from the PNG University of Technology, and a Masters Degree in Engineering from the University of New South Wales, specializing in Mining Industry Management.
Mr Lole is the second director from the Tuguba region to the GRGL Board.
He joins Libe Parindali, Thompson Mugubigo, Philip Iruka, Thomas Dara Ola and Larry Andagali who are already on the GRGL board representing landowners.
MRDC managing director Augustine Mano, congratulated Mr Lole on his election and added; “Mr. Lole comes to the board with extensive experience in business, the oil and gas, and mining sector.
“He is a well-respected leader in the industry who joins a board blessed with a wealth of experience which will add value to the governance and direction of the company going forward.”
Mr. Mano thanked Mr Kambe and all other PDL 1 Tuguba Clan Chairmen for their leadership and participation in the process.
He also thanked the Independent Observers, the Chief Magistrate, the Electoral Commission, and National Petroleum Authority for their participation in ensuring the clan chairman and director election process was fair and transparent.
Mr. Mano reiterated that MRDC remains committed in getting the PDL1 outstanding benefits paid this year.
MRDC will commence work to open the sub-clan bank accounts, the last leg of the process before the royalty and equity benefits are paid out to the beneficiaries.