NHC awaits K7m govt funding

National

By CHARLES MOI
THE National Housing Corporation needs an additional K7 million from the Government for the water, power and sewage systems at Durand Farm Housing project in Port Moresby, managing director John Dege says.
Dege said the NHC had already done acquittals for the initial investment of K11 million and was awaiting funding from the Government to continue the project.
“Secretary for National Planning (Hakaua Harry) accepted our acquittals,” Dege said.
“We are just waiting for money to be available so that they (Department of National Planning and Monitoring) can release the next batch of funding.”
Dege said Durand Farm was the first of its kind in PNG.
“It is a project that does not depend entirely on Government funding,” he said.
The Government is responsible for securing UDL (urban development lease) to the Housing Corporation.
“Land is the responsibility of the department of lands to make sure that the land is fully surveyed and titles issued. The infrastructure is the responsibility of National Planning.
“(NHC) secures contractors with the endorsement of NEC so the preferred contractors are willing to finance the project and develop the project.
“They build on their own strength and NHC sells the houses and we share the proceeds.”
The National reported yesterday that the Durand Farm Housing project in Port Moresby needed another K7 million from the Government after exhausting the initial K11 million it was allocated.
The Department of National Planning and Monitoring said it could not release the K7 million because of the expenditure cuts in the supplementary budget.