Win-win recommendation for NHC flats at Gordon

The alleged sale of the famous Gordon Flats for K600,000 by the National Housing Commission (NHC) is morally and ethically corrupt.
It is wrong for one rich individual to be able to purchase a property comprising of 61 units, which is home to about 700 people including women and children.
That individual must pause for one moment and try and imagine if he was one of the tenants in those units.
It is clear the Government does not care for the welfare of its citizens as it allows corrupt officials within NHC to enter into illegal deals such as this.
The Government via NHC will make 700 Papua New Guineans homeless and destitute without providing any form of assistance such as relocation and or repatriation for many who are now 2nd and 3rd generation residents.
It is true that the Gordon Flats is a liability to NHC, but there is an alternative that I would like to propose and that is, why not sell each unit to the current legal tenants instead of selling it to one individual.
If each unit is sold for K10,000 by way of strata-type title (sub-lease) like it is done for many of the stylish units and apartments downtown and for many such projects in countries like Australia, New Zealand and United Kingdom, then NHC can still dispose its liability and still earn more than K600,000 from the sale. Thus, it will be win-win situation for all parties concerned.
Illegal tenants hiding behind genuine tenants can then be evicted and the unit sold to other genuine buyers.
Once this is done, we will see a dramatic change in attitude as there will be a sense of ownership, respect and community spirit.
This would be contrary to Paul Asakusa’s assertion that the flats are a breeding ground for criminals and other illegal activities.
I urge the NHC board and management to cancel the current sale arrangement and to engage its lawyers in sub-dividing the property into 61 sub-leases that could be sold to current tenants.
 

Concerned resident
Gordon
Port Moresby.