The Mineral Resources Development Company (MRDC) defends the process of appointment of Howard Lole, as the second Tuguba director, in light of the recent news article published in the Post Courier today titled “Tuguba tribe rejects Lole’s appointment as director”.

While MRDC respects ones right to express their views and concerns relating to the appointment of Mr. Lole as director to the Gas Resources Gigira Ltd Board, the process in arriving at this decision has been exhaustive and fully participatory by all parties.

MRDC Managing Director Mr Augustine Mano said the appointment of Mr Lole as a director followed the law and due process.

“The election for the second Tuguba representative on the board of GRGL, held on the 21 August 2026 at the Hilton Hotel resulted in a tie between Lole and Eric Kambe. Both received 4 votes each.

“As a result of the tie, MRDC as shareholder exercised its powers to make the appointment.

“The appointment of Lole was not made in isolation but was the final outcome of a election process which was agreed to by all stakeholders involved. We followed all applicable legal, governance and procedural requirements in appointing Mr Lole as director, pursuant to s176 of the Oil & Gas Act, the MRDC Authorization Act, the Constitution of GRGL, and the GRGL Directors Election Rules.

“Anyone aggrieved by the decision is at liberty to challenge it in a court of law. But I should point out that all due processes were exhausted to the fullest in making this appointment,” Mr Mano said.

Mr Mano said any legal challenge to this decision will be strenuously defended in the court of law by MRDC.