NHC partners with Kavieng landowners in housing scheme

 By JOHN PANGKATANA

KAVIENG town in New Ireland will finally get a facelift.

In a major breakthrough for landowners, business opportunities will be available to them for the first time. 

This has been made possible through collaboration between the National Housing Corporation (NHC) and customary landowners in Kavieng. 

NHC acting managing director John Dege said through a public private partnership arrangement with the Matubaga Landowners Association and Phal Kharapai Ltd, NHC handed over 15 title blocks situated at Omo on the edge of Kavieng Airport.

“They are ready to talk to investors for a possible joint venture partnership,” Dege said. 

The land, located on sections 68, 69, 70, 71 and 72, has been proposed for a major housing development, a supermarket and service station to provide an alternate commercial activity. 

Of the 15 blocks, 10 are for residential and five for commercial.

“At a cost of K100,000 per block, NHC will provide infrastructural development to ensure the opportunity for commerce is given a push-start.

“The NHC is serious about empowering our people that free their customary land and this is a grand opportunity to seriously grasp this opportunity of a life-time,” Dege said.

The land was originally taken by the government but through the insistence of the land owners, nothing had transpired over the past 23 years.

NHC re-visited the original MoA signing in 1991, which has now led to the process of the 15 titles being given to them and have added a bonus with by fully-servicing the blocks.

Matubaga managing director Passinghan Igua said this was a blessing that had been long-awaited for.

“The catch to it is that it will have a contemporary look, something that New Irelanders can be proud of. We will invite everyone to come and do business,” he said.

“We are now open for business.”