NHC a liability, a national shame

I do not see any substance in the on-going row regarding the National Housing Corporation (NHC). What are they trying to tell the nation?
I have zero confidence and respect for the NHC, which is a national shame and a huge liability.
As a public servant in the Department of Petroleum and Energy (DPE) carrying a title as a senior officer, I receive K7 housing allowance a fortnight and my net salary is equal to one week’s food and transport bills (including taxes/GST to the State).
I don’t own a house despite the fact that I am industry trained with a Masters Degree and work for a premier State agency that regulates the billion-dollar petroleum industry.
I have seen 20 highly trained and educated nationals resign from DPE to join the oil companies in the last 3-4 years as a result of lack of accommodation.
DPE plays a lead role in Papua New Guinea’s petroleum industry, which is responsible for between 30% and 35% of national export earnings and account for over one third of the Government’s annual budget.
This contribution is bound to increase significantly by 2013 and beyond should the current US$12 billion ExxonMobil-sponsored liquified natural gas (LNG) project get commissioned in 2013.
It is ironical that virtually all the senior officers actively involved in promoting this US$12 billion LNG project either live in squatter settlements or in run-down NHC-flats.
Key government departments like the Departments of Personnel Management, Treasury and Finance don’t think that it is part of their responsibility to address the public servants’ perennial housing problems.
These departments are supposed to help public servants by working with the NHC to develop ideas to address the chronic housing issue. But they don’t.
I abhor the level of complacency and apathy demonstrated from the top, including ministers and heads of relevant departments.
How do they expect public servants to deliver when most of us are poorly paid and don’t have proper accommodation?
I urge the National Government to do two things immediately to address the public servants’ housing issue.
First, abolish the NHC and immediately transfer all its assets, powers and functions to Nambawan Super Fund (formerly POSF) as the latter is more commercially oriented and more competent.
It would address the public servants housing issue more efficiently and prudently.
Secondly, the Government must use its numerical strength to make appropriate amendments to the Income Tax Act to reduce the income tax rate to 5% for all public servants earning gross fortnightly incomes of K1000 and less. After all, these people will still pay 10% GST.

The Ekaim, Konedobu, Port Moresby