Housing project launched

By KESSIE TADAP 

THE Government has launched a project with its development partners to ease the housing problem for residents in Port Moresby.

The Housing and Urbanisation Ministry, through the National Housing Corporation, ANZ Bank and Southern Cross Assurance, are partners in the project called the “Build the nation through quality and affordable houses”.

Housing Minister Paul Isikiel said while the bottom line was to build houses, stakeholders must be prudent in how they deliver this basic service “to minimise exposure” as had happened in the past. 

Under the Build, Sell and Share Concept (BSSC) in line with the Government’s public, private partnership (PPP) arrangement, ANZ Bank will provide financing to clients who want to buy the houses.

He said the scheme had been adopted in many developing countries.

 “Similar to free education and health, NHC will take carriage of the infrastructure costs and the end user or buyer in this case is already financially less burdened by 30% of the housing costs,” he said.

He said providing quality and affordable housing would determine growth and improvement of living standards for the ordinary people.

Under this housing project, four types of houses will be built – H-55, H-65, H-90 and the L-40.

According to the National Housing Corporation, 4,230 lots have been identified. 

This includes vacant land at Durand Farm in 8-Mile, 9-Mile behind the Nasfund estate, 4-Mile behind the Pacific International Hospital, Gerehu Stage 4B and Stage 7A and behind the National Research Institute near the University of Papua New Guinea.