Chief Secretary to Government Ivan Pomaleu, OBE has acknowledged an essential Government Housing Project which will soon be underway in Port Moresby, National Capital District.
The overarching aim is to deliver affordable housing, ensuring that public servants can be settled to perform optimally in their roles, and benefited from a government-led Home-Ownership program.
This project is an initiative by the National Government through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) program spearheaded by the Department of Personnel Management (DPM), Department of Prime Minister and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, and largest global development institution which focused exclusively on the private sector in developing countries including Papua New Guinea.
While delivering his opening remarks at the PNG Affordable Housing PPP Market Solutions Conference today in Port Moresby, the Chief Secretary highlighted that this Government led initiative is essential to provide affordable housing for Public Servants.
It is focused on addressing the critical housing needs of Public Servants, particularly those in lower income brackets, who are significantly impacted by high rental and housing costs.
The project site is a 29-hectare Housing Development Area at Portion 5747 Granville at Bomana outside of Port Moresby, National Capital District.
This project follows a NEC Decision No.233/2022, under the Financial Services Agreement (FASA) which was cleared by the State Solicitor and signed on 23rd May 2023.
A ground breaking ceremony occurred in September 2025, which was officiated by the Prime Minister Hon. Chief James Marape.
The Chief Secretary affirmed the National Government’s contribution for this milestone project and thanked relevant Government Agencies especially, the Department of Lands and Physical Planning who had allocated land for this Housing Project.
Essentially, investment in the development of necessary infrastructure under the PPP arrangement strategically absorbs land and development costs thus, ensuring that Public Servants can own houses through their respective Department or Agencies Home Ownership Schemes.
“This collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) is crucial for exploring opportunities to price homes appropriately for the target market for Public Servants,” he said.
Further, the Chief Secretary said the National Government’s intension to partner with the private sector is to develop and deliver affordable housing to public servants.
Hence, significant progress has been made, with hundreds of public servants already pre-approved for loans by partner banks, making participation in the housing program accessible.
To conclude, Mr. Pomaleu expressed gratitude to the Department of Personnel Management, Department of Lands and Physical Planning, Department of Works, and other agencies for their collaboration, as well as acknowledging the vital partnership with the IFC.
This conference serves as a platform for participants to make important decisions and contribute to the success of this strategic housing initiative.