Lockyer, whose name is synonymous with Australian rugby league, is also attached with an exploration and energy firm that is currently eyeing coal production in PNG.
The company is Mayur Resources Ltd where Lockyer heads its business affairs division.
Among those concerned Papua New Guineans was environmentalist and Northern Governor, Gary Juffa.
“This is a grave insult to PNG but most won’t realise it,” Juffa commented under an earlier article by Loop PNG.