The Mineral Resources Development Company (MRDC) will now resume the second Tuguba Regional Director Election for Hides Petroleum Development Licence 1 (PDL 1) after all the eight clans resolved long standing leadership disputes.
According to a statement released, MRDC will now proceed with benefit payment preparations, including opening sub-clan accounts for beneficiary clans that are ready following the 100 per cent completion of the program to establish clan bank accounts and elect Directors to the Hides Petroleum Development Licence 1 (PDL1) Corporate Trustee.
In 2024, Mineral Resources Development Company (MRDC) launched a program to establish clan bank accounts and elect Directors to the Hides Petroleum Development Licence 1 (PDL1) Corporate Trustee. The program reached 84 per cent completion before it was suspended in early 2025 due to leadership disputes within the Tuguba clans and related court injunctions.
A court-ordered mediation process commenced in April 2025. MRDC worked with key stakeholders, including the National Petroleum Authority, the Office of the Solicitor General, and the PNG Electoral Commission, under the independent chairmanship of Chief Magistrate Mark Pupaka.
Independent observers Dr Fabian Pok and Mr Sandy Talita supported the process to ensure transparency and accountability.
By October 2025, all restraining orders had been lifted. Through mediation, the remaining three Tuguba clans resolved their long-standing leadership disputes.
The successful resolution of the Jugu, Tabu and Ware 2 clan executive matters means all eight Tuguba clans have now reached agreement. This brings the program to 100 per cent completion, well above the required 75 per cent threshold, enabling the Tuguba Region to proceed with its second Directors’ Election.
The elected clan chairmen are:
• Jugu Clan – Mr Howard Lole
• Tabu Clan – Mr Walabe Mara
• Ware 2 Clan – Mr Agobe Potape
According to the statement, on 29 June 2026, the Minister for Petroleum, Hon. Jimmy Maladina, formally endorsed the outcome. His approval cleared the way for MRDC to resume the second Tuguba Regional Director Election.
Any leaders who continue to challenge the process and delay benefit payments will be accountable to their communities for those delays.
MRDC acknowledged the cooperation and commitment of all
parties throughout the 24-month engagement. The mediation framework successfully used during the Hiwa Regional Director Election will also guide the second Tuguba Regional Director Election.
MRDC will now:
• Resume and complete the second Tuguba Regional Director Election;
• Facilitate the appointment of a Tuguba representative to the Hides PDL1 Corporate Trustee Board; and
• Complete clan bank account opening for the remaining Tuguba clans.
Ensuring the timely and transparent distribution of benefits to rightful Hides PDL1 beneficiaries remains MRDC’s highest priority and will require continued cooperation from all stakeholders.