Chimbu signs deal on housing

 By ZACHERY PER  

CHIMBU has launched a National Housing Commission initiative to build houses for public servants.

Only the National Capital District has the scheme so far.

Minister for Housing Paul Isikel and Chimbu Governor Noah Kool signed an agreement this week to build homes in Mirane and Kimbere  just outside Kundiawa town.

Chimbu provincial administrator Joe Kunda and managing director of the National Housing Commission (NHC) John Dege also signed documents with legal officers from the Simbu provincial government and NHC.

Isikel told the Dinga tribes and Sinasina-Yongumugl that housing shortage was a chronic problem in PNG for many years.

He said the Government was moving swiftly to address the problems encountered by public servants and disciplined forces.

“This pilot project is the extension of Duran Farm in Port Moresby where over 400 houses are currently being built,” Isikel said.

He said the Government allocated funds in this year’s national budget to get the housing project in Chimbu off the ground.

About  500 houses, to be funded by the Government, will be built in Kimbere and Mirane on the eastern and southern outskirts, respectively, of Kundiawa town under the Government’s housing scheme.

Kool told the crowd that his government allocated counterpart funding for the housing projects in Kibri and Mirane respectively.

Kool said the government had erred in giving away houses under the Home Ownership Scheme. 

Kibri community leaders Michael Robert, John Numapo and Michael Su (Suwai LLG ward 12 councillor) thanked the Government and said they would take ownership of the housing project. “We are excited as the project would bring off spin benefits to the locals in the long run,” they said.