PM: Govt to address housing

The National Main Stories

By HELEN TARAWA
PRIME Minister James Marape says he will direct ministers for Lands and Physical Planning and Housing and Urban Development to make land available to build houses for public servants and private sector employees.
Marape, who addressed the Department of Prime Minister and National Executive Council (NEC) Christmas function yesterday, said housing was a major concern for the average working-class citizens throughout the country and the Government was keen to address the issue.
He assured the staff from his department that he would pursue the call for housing project, adding that it would be for working-class citizens nationwide.
“We are also embarking not just the PM’s Department but I have signalled Lands Minister (John Rosso) and Urbanisation Minister (Justin Tkatchenko) to ensure that first offer and easy access to land title is made to Papua New Guineans,” Marape said.
“Not just in the government services but in the private sector for access to land so that you could have a secure land to build your house on.
“This is work in progress for us and my apologies if Lands Department has been slow in coming but this will be delivered.
“We will ensure to give you your job security, irrespective of who comes in and who goes out.”
Marape urged the staff to expand their scope of work beyond their fortnightly income.
“I want to inspire you to expand your scope of focus beyond just the fortnightly income and think into the future what you want to leave behind,” he said.
“The creation of our country’s future is dependent on our input today and input going forward.
“You have an important part to play, the great assembly of jigsaw puzzle we can all continue to shaping a better future for our children. I thank you all for every service you rendered and let’s improve on that. I’m committed to the task at hand.
“The reforms will progress, Icac will mature to fight corruption and I look forward to your support as we pursue those objectives today.”

9 comments

  • I commend PMJM for taking a bold step to address the housing issues faced by many citizens of this country. You have a great vision to change this country. Decent shelter is a basic human need. The very people of this nation who are living in the towns and cities have been struggling to fully satisfy this need in their lives. While struggling they have faced additional hardships and situations. It has caused numerous anxieties and land related issues such as illegal land grabbing, growing illegal settlements, etc..But this plan of making land available will adequately address not only housing issues but also other land related issues as well..Well thought and significant move by PMJM to bring PNG move forward..

  • It’s good to hear such plan, I would suggest to build apartments and go up considering the state has limited land to utilislze.

    For instance, Singapore has apartment buildings catering say 50 to 100 lease holders for lease only up to 50 years. Once this tenure is up the entire building is demolished for safety reasons and immediately a new apartment is built.
    We should look at this alternative as I am pretty sure the government can benefit a lot from this

  • Mr. Prime Minister. – a noble cause it is to avail land for housing to accommodate the core of the working population of this nation. Land is essential in the process of providing housing for the mass.
    I would like to strongly advise the PM, that the National Housing Corporations is the National Governments entity to drive this notion as it is the real estate arm of the government the government must utilise in your endeavour to accommodate the working population. The current demise of the NHC was brought about by successive government ministers satisfying croonies over the years. It would be also assist the much criticised organisation. Let’s not blame NHC. The tenants must also be partly blame for not paying their forthnightly rental…

  • I support the idea initiated by PMJM…there are some employees of private sector or major companies working in various major industries for 3- 20years yet are struggling living in squatter setlements and contributed to country (PNG) economy.. should there be some kind of assistant /regulation that the current government may give to these companies for there employees. .benefits to gave a houses…

  • That’s one of the major problem that most of the public sectors, private sectors or ngos etc…..facing today in the city. None of the former PMs addresses this kind of thoughts for the past few years but current PM JM you have the very good heart for your citizens in this country and you address this thought. Most public servants we are leaving in the settlements which is not good. I’m so blessed to hear this, actions speaks louder than words. Thanks Mr PM JM for your very well thaughts and hope you’ll take many more actions for the reamining years to come.

  • Its about time ,but is it really going to eventuate within the next 2years??
    What about the land owners??? Every piece of land has a land owners, Every Papua New Guineans are landowners of their own right so to speak. Free up land in cities occupied by settlements , for the proper housing for public servants and so, otherwise vagrancy act would be okay for a start,

  • Grow the economy, create employment, reduce taxes and pay workers well.
    This will take care of housing.

  • Many lives (especially of public servants and their dependents) will be touched if what the Honorable PMJM said comes to pass. A lot of Public Servants currently secure accommodation in the settlements where the rentals are affordable. Water & electricity problem, security issues are some of the major challenges these servants of the people often went through in their everyday lives in the settlements. I feel for these public servants.

    Thank you our good Prime Minister for this initiatives. Take care of these builders through the responsible departments, as they are the front liners in building this great nation. God Bless PNG

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