The Minister for International Trade and Investment has come out to say that the Papua New Guinea (PNG) National Government must not be blamed for the weekend incident at Panguna in Bougainville, citing concerns he initially raised regarding the sensitivity surrounding the mining project.

Minister Richard Maru came out strong in a statement released today stating that The National Government and the country must not be blamed for the attack at the Lloyds Metals & Energy Limited’s camp in Panguna at the Autonomous Region of Bougainville yesterday.

“I repeatedly advised the management of Lloyds Metals & Energy against investing in Panguna, knowing it was highly volatile due to numerous factions, and the environment was not conducive for investment. I feared the very outcome that has now transpired. Despite my advice, the company took a decision to invest in Panguna and it must now accept full responsibility for what has happened. They took it upon themselves not to heed national government advice,” said Minister Maru.

The Lloyds Metals & Energy Limited was a significant player in India’s metals and mining sector. According to the reports from Bougainville, heavy machinery and vehicles reportedly belonging to the company were destroyed in an arson attack at the Panguna mine site yesterday morning.

“I strongly condemn this attack in the strongest possible terms as the Minister responsible for international trade and investment. I do appreciate that many things were not sorted out like the landowner issues. I am saddened by what has happened but as the Minster responsible, I had done my part by advising the Lloyds Metals & Energy against this investment because it was risky and I foresaw what was coming,” said Minister Maru.

“I call on the Government and people of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville to deal with those involved in this attack if they are serious about attracting investments into the region,” he added.