Minister to probe NHC Wewak deal

By HELEN TARAWA
MINISTER for Housing and Urban Development Justin Tkatchenko has ordered for an investigation into the sale of a National Housing Corporation (NHC) office in Wewak.
Tkatchenko told The National that he was shocked to learn of NHC properties being sold without following due process.
“We cannot allow junior officers in the provinces to sell properties without following the proper processes,” he said.
“The investigation will find out how and to whom the property was sold.” Tkatchenko said sale of such properties would have to be approved by the Minister for Housing and Urban Development and the National Executive Council.
According to information from Wewak, there were two buyers for that property which was being demolished.
Tkatchenko said NHC and the ministry would like to know what was done with the money raised from the property.
“The issue of the sale of this property had taken place quite some time and there is no information about the process that was followed,” he said.
“The investigation will help us to know why the property was sold and where the provincial or regional NHC office was operating from in Wewak.”
In response to queries raised by The National on the new housing policy, Tkatchenko said there was no new policy approved by the NEC.
He said they were currently operating on the old housing policy which was outdated.