The Ramu NiCo Management has denied carrying out any COVID-19 testing as claimed or alleged by certain overseas media.
The Company said it will not involve in any unethical behavior and will continue to uphold prudent investments and industrial practices in PNG.
According to a statement, Ramu NiCO said it is with good intention that the company prepared the vaccination statement for the employees to present to the PNG officials in case they need to be tested again upon arrival in PNG.
The company said that a particular statement made in good intention was quickly passed on to 'The Australian' by some ill-intentioned person and The Australian wasted no time in publishing a highly speculative article on the 20th of August 2020 with the title “CHINA TESTING ITS COVID-19 VACCINE IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA.
The news has since then gone viral both in Australia and PNG.
In response to concerns of the public and various media outlets, Ramu NiCo Management says, the 48 employees referred to are Chinese citizens who travelled to Port Moresby on 13th August 2020.
Before leaving for PNG, they went through the medical PCR test as per Measure No.2 on International Travel Measures issued by the Office of the Controller, and all were tested negative for COVID-19.
They are currently under quarantine in Port Moresby, in full compliance with PNG’s quarantine regulations.
Ramu Nico said no PNG employees of the Company participated in the vaccination in PNG.
The company strongly refuted reports by the 'The Australian' stating that the report is highly speculated, false, and misleading with ulterior motives to tarnish the image of Ramu NiCo Management (MCC) Limited and harm the cordial relationship between the People's Republic of China and PNG.
Statement/NBC/PacificMiningWatch