I REFER to the NHC housing rental in Wewak, East Sepik. I am currently a tenant of the Institutional Houses in Wewak.
Recently, we were served with an outstanding arrears and an eviction notice by the NHC manager in Wewak, which according to him was a directive from the NHC HQ.
Some tenants refused to pay rentals because of the poor conditions of the houses which I presume if a health inspector were to visit the compound, he will definitely rule “not fit for human habitation”.
The houses were understood to be built in the 1950s. Most of the tenants have to use pit toilets, bushes or sea. There is no proper sewage system and the list goes on.
For so many years, there was no maintenance or renovation. The rental used to be K5.30 until it was raised to K44 for the low cost houses.
Although we are grouped into a certain category, we still have our rights and we are tax payers of PNG.
I believe 300 new houses will be built for public servants in East Sepik at Yawasoro, West Coast Road. I understand Wewak Compound and Wewak Point come under one package.
Although private sector employees are not included in the new township, we are willing to pay rentals if we are allocated these new units.
Are there any plans to build new houses for non-public servants? Surely, we too deserve accommodation as I said we are tax payers too.
We are not here to challenge the Government but we want it to look into our problems and issues.
I call on to the Government and Housing Minister to look into our plight and help us.

Concerned NHC tenant
Wewak