GOVERNMENT IS TAKING STEPS TO ENSURE CITIZENS HAVE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HOMES

CAPTION: Deputy Prime Minister and Lands Minister John Rosso.

BY RAYLEEN WANJIMAN
ACTING Prime Minister John Rosso says the government is taking urgent steps to ensure citizens, particularly low- to middle-income earners, have access to affordable housing.

Speaking at the launch of three major projects in Bautama today, Rosso highlighted the challenges faced by ordinary Papua New Guineans.

He said those earning between fifty to a hundred thousand kina, can have access to affordable homes and that is something the government must plan for urgently.

Rosso stressed that housing isn’t just about putting roofs over heads. Each block of land requires proper water, power, sewerage and every citizen has the right to a roof above their head, and PNG Government must look beyond settlements to make that happen.

” Private companies can build homes faster and more efficiently than government alone. Government’s role is to make land available and create a conducive environment for the developments,” he said.

He also highlighted Major developments that are underway that includes Nambawan Super’s 9 Mile estate, which will provide 2,000 homes, the Tuhava project, adding 4,000 homes and Waigani Estate which is set to deliver another 1,000 homes.

He concluded by saying since 1975, PNG government has not built a proper suburb for the citizen and emphasized those partnerships with landowners and private developers as key to achieving these goals.