Planners need training

MANPOWER capacity is a huge problem in physical planning in the country, Department of Physical Planning quality control and standards officer Linus Billy says.
Billy told a conference yesterday in Kokopo, East New Britain, the biggest problem was the lack of “properly” trained physical planners in the country.
He said there were some well-trained physical planners but they were not recognised and that added on to the issue.
He said the conference would appeal to the government to look into this issue and allow training for planners.
He said that would enable physical planners to bring development forward in terms of service delivery through their field of expertise.
Billy said it was important for the national government to recognise the need in this area and provide support in terms of funding to the provinces where they could establish their boards.
He said only few provinces had taken on board the physical planning powers and function.
Billy said those provinces were West New Britain, New Ireland and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.
He said there were other provinces in line to take up the powers and functions but that depended on their political will and support.
Billy said another challenge was recognition and welfare of provincial physical planners.
He said there was a need for an institution of physical planners to be established in the country.
“We need to address capacity and the issue of training and type of skills that we are lacking in the area of physical planning,” Billy said.