Purpose: to shake weak hands by making it appear that the PPS is at the point it is, when it's only a manufactured apparency.
This has two effects: 1. Causing sale of shares by "longs" at prices that are far below what the stock is (or will shortly be) worth. 2. Allowing the manipulators to accumulate huge amounts of the shares from 1 above - which are or shortly will be worth considerably more.
Possible reason for this to occur at this particular date: Leaked information that the permits (which?) are (or will be) approved momentarily which will send this stock north rapidly and firmly.
All of the above are simply guesses that fit the scene we see. There are other possible reasons that could account for it. I suppose the near future will reveal what is actually happening.