New name for Mt Hagen comes with big plans

Mt Hagen will be renamed as ‘Hagen Kona Kai’ and built and developed with major infrastructure, says Western Highlands Governor Paias Wingti.
Wingti and his provincial government team yesterday received the State lease they had been waiting for over 20 years from Lands and Physical Planning Minister Justin Tkatchenko.
He said major projects happening included the four-lane road, airport upgrade and a K130 million development.
“After we sort out all these people who are illegally occupying land that belongs to the provincial government, then we put the concept together,” Wingti said.
“The city will be created but we have to plan it properly with a master plan.
“Based on that, we will put the parks and the public recreational areas.”
Wingti said Prime Minister Peter O’Neill’s vision about major centres, including Mt Hagen, was taking place.
Chairman of the Mt Hagen Development Corporation Nathan Wantepe said they had waited for 20 years for the title.
“The land, which currently has the Hagen Plaza, is 100 per cent owned by the provincial government,” he said.
“While the building was being built, the title was changed in a crook way.
“We have been following up on this for so long and we want to thank the minister for his support.”
Tkatchenko said Western Highlands was a strategic hub used by other Highlands provinces for business, transport and others.
“This is the first of many State leases we will giving to your provincial government,” he said.
“This is to ensure that the land for the people of Western Highlands is secure for their long-term benefit and for the best use for the public.”