State paid K102mil in rental arrears to NSL

THE Government has, up to the end of last month, paid K102 million it owed to Nambawan Super Limited (NSL) in rentals, according to NSL chief executive officer Paul Sayer.
“We are also thankful to the State for honouring the agreement to settle its outstanding arrears and continuing to make timely payments, (beginning) with the first of two instalments for November and December, 2022,” Sayer said.
Last year, the State agreed to settle the remaining balance of its rental arrears in monthly instalments of K10 million — K5 million to clear the K70 million accrued and K5 million to pay its current rental.
“As at the end of January, 2023, the State had paid K102 million of its rental arrears,” Sayer said.
He said if the K10 million payment continued, the State’s rental account with NSL should be up to date by February, 2024.
Sayer welcomed the State’s decision to move the Education Department, Teaching Services Commission and PNG National Commission for Unesco into the NSL-owned Vulupindi Haus in Port Moresby.
He said they were discussing with the Government Office Allocation Committee (Goac) a smooth transition of the departments to Vulupindi.
“NSL and Goac are also working to renew the expired leases in other NSL-owned buildings (rented) by the State. We thank the State for supporting this PNG-owned investment property by continuing the tenancy,” Sayer said.
“We are aware of the State’s ambitions to own and operate some of the properties which it is (renting) through the Build Own Lease Transfer (Bolt) initiative.
“Nambawan Super owns a number of buildings (in Port Moresby) which would suit the State’s plan to create a one-stop shop for the effective delivery of similar services.”