Tkatchenko embarks on new NHC restructure

By CHRISTOPHER YANDAWAI

THE new Minister for Housing and Urban Development Justine Tkatchenko says he looks forward to totally restructure the National Housing Commission (NHC).

Minister Tkatchenko made this remark during a management briefing held with the NHC Management, staff and the outgoing Housing Minister John Kaupa recently.

 “Prime Minister James Marape has indicated to me that he would like to see ordinary citizens who work very hard especially the low income earners of nearly 80% have proper housing at the cost that they can afford.

“As such, I look forward in reforming, changing, and totally restructuring the National Housing Commission and also introducing a low cost housing for a simple grassroots Papua New Guineans,” Minister Tkachenko said.

Tkatchenko said he is keen to make the restructure program fruitful with the help of the new Lands Minister John Rosso.

“He will work with me to ensure that lands are allocated in all our city centers throughout the country for a low cost housing.”

Tkatchenko has also highlighted that there are plenty of high cost housing and high covenant houses already been done.

“However, we have forgotten our grassroots people as they need to be looked after as much as everybody else.

“This will be a number one priority for me as a new Housing Minister because our Prime Minister has given all of us Ministers six months to get out there and get our ministries in order.

“We are on performance-based contract meaning we have to get on with our job on time and get our ministries and departments in order within this time frame.

“This is what we will do and you will see a lot of changes in the National Housing Cooperation and also a lot of activities taking place in the urbanization part as this world has come together.

“I will be working closely with the Prime Minister, Lands Minister, and also Governors and Members of the different provinces to achieve that goal.

“It is not going to be an easy task as the NHC is currently in chaos which I will take on the challenges ahead for complete restructure.

“For the first time, we will ensure work must go on for the grassroots to have a proper low cost housing in our capital cities throughout the country,” Tkachenko said.  

Tkatchenko thanked former Housing Minister Kaupa for his great efforts saying, “Mr Kapua did his best and I will learn from his experiences so that we take a bigger and better from thereon.”