PNGEITI Thanks Outgoing Mining & Petroleum Chamber Executive Director

The Papua New Guinea Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (PNGEITI) has thanked Dr. Albert Mellam, the outgoing executive director of the Papua New Guinea Chamber of Mines and Petroleum, for his valuable contribution to the group.

“The PNGEITI had the good opportunity to benefit from Dr. Mellam’s professional demeanor and credentials to progress EITI work in the PNG,” Lucas Alkan, Head of PNGEITI National Secretariat, said.

“We thank Dr. Mellam for his strong support for EITI activities and wish him every success in his next career move,” Mr. Alkan said.

He said Dr. Mellam’s contribution at the Multi Stakeholder Group (MSG) level in his capacity as Executive Director was valuable.

“Dr Mellam represented the Chamber well at the PNGEITI MSG -- the peak body responsible for oversight and guidance to implement- ing the EITI principles for greater accountability and transparency on how PNG authorities and companies interact in managing and operating PNG’s rich mining and petroleum resources.”

“On behalf of the members of the PNG MSG, I thank Dr. Mellam for his valuable contribution to EITI implementation -- especially when PNGEITI was working on important projects such as the work on the PNG Extractive Industries Transparency Commission Bill that aims to transition the PNGEITI National Secretariat into a statutory commission,” Mr. Alkan said.

“The considerable progress we’ve made so far in implementing EITI in this country speaks of the utilization of combined expertise and advise of leaders like Dr. Mellam at the MSG pool.”

“As Dr Mellam makes his exit, we hope to welcome a new Chamber representative to represent the industry companies at the PNGEITI MSG and we look forward to that,” he said.

The Chamber, which is the industry peak body that represents business interest of mining and petroleum entities operating in PNG, announced the departure of Dr. Mellam during the quarter.

Dr. Mellam was the first Papua New Guinean to occupy the executive director’s position where he served for the past five years.