Work underway to turn settlements into suburbs

WORK is underway to upgrade several settlements in the National Capital District (NCD) to suburbs, National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop says.
Parkop told The National that the 9-Mile quarry which was the first project targeted to be completed this year with only water and power to be connected.
“I have to rely on Water PNG and PNG Power and I only have some influence over them but no control,” he said.
“We want at least the first project to be successful then we learn from it and roll it out to other parts of the city.”
He said with the preparation of 8-Mile including the main road upgrade, going this would then be followed by the access road together with the sub-divisional plan before allocating allotments.
“The other project is at Saraga (6-Mile) which we have done engineering work, road works and subdivisions on. Now we are working with residents there to pay their minimum deposits and then to start building houses.
“We have a project at the Gerehu lake side that’s ready to go but we have some issues with the Lands Department awarding titles to another company while we were in the processing of securing the title.
“That’s something we are sorting out with the Lands Department.”
Parkop said the NCD Commission would partnering with government departments, super funds, savings and loans societies and private firms to build affordable housing.
“It’s a massive site so when the development happens I hope it will provide for mainly all the working class and middle class people.
“We have the title to Farea which is now awaiting approval from the su“I am happy too that the Duran farm at long last will start.”
He said the private sector had to be given the credit too for building houses like the Kennedy Estate, Glory Gardens Estate and the Lihir Land Owners with their plan up at the 9-Mile site.
“There are so many stakeholders who are doing their part and the government is doing its part and so are we,” Parkop said.