National Housing Corporation
The eviction of long-term residents of National Housing Corporation (NHC) properties within and outside the National Capital District has been ongoing in the last decade.
Some families – without financial support and resources – end up at a news organisation’s front desk, hoping that press coverage will stop the eviction and enable a peaceful resolution. Sometimes it worked but most times it did not.
It was the eviction of residents in NHC-owned properties in Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province last year that compelled the Prime Minister Peter O’Neill to act.
Local MP Bire Kimisopa criticised the eviction exercise, which he claimed targeted tenants who lived in the properties for 20 to 30 years – he vowed to lead a class action against the NHC and the State and sue for violation of human rights (Alphonse, 2016).
Mr O’Neill, in response to the Goroka MP, assured the House in August 2016 that the NHC eviction exercise will be investigated and a report tabled in the National Parliament for its consideration.
In January 2017 Mr Kimisopa followed up and asked the PM for an update with Mr O’Neill indicating that he had yet to receive a copy of the report from the NHC (Yapumi, PNG Loop, 2016).
It has been 10 months since the PM assured the nation that the NHC will be investigated and the findings tabled for the MPs and the public.
The promise comes on the back of announcing separate inquiries into the June 6, 2016 University of PNG shooting and the PNG Defence Force Manumanu land deal.
With Papua New Guineans preparing to go to the polls June 2017 it is highly unlikely that there will be resolution to these matters, despite the assurance of the PM.
Failure to hold civil servants and leaders accountable for their conduct will lead to the further deterioration of public confidence in and respect for PNG institutions.
