New Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan says he wants Newcrest Lihir to continue operating and to make a lot of money which will filter down to communities and benefit the province.
He expressed confidence in the performance of Newcrest in his province, by announcing a new era of constructive relations between Newcrest and the people of New Ireland.
Sir Julius made this statement when he officiated at the Lihir Secondary School graduation last week.
The ceremony also coincided with the opening of the school’s 76-bed boys’ dormitory built under the PNG Government’s Tax Credit Scheme (TCS) and valued at K14.67m.
In his address to around 2000 people including students, school officials, parents, senior government officials, church and business representatives, Sir Julius called on the leaders of Lihir, LMALA (Lihir Mining Area Landowner Association), the Nimamar Local Level Government and others to take heed and turn the course towards working in greater partnership.
“I do not want any more stop work notices” he urged.
Sir Julius added that the Newcrest Tax Credit Scheme has touched every secondary school in the whole of New Ireland Province.
“We are working on Namatanai Secondary School to upgrade it and Lihirians should therefore be proud of the benefits that are flowing into the province,” he says.