THE Constitutional and Law Reform Commission (CLRC) is currently in discussions with the University of Papua New Guinea regarding a potential restoration and redevelopment of the historic Constitutional House located on Motupore Island.
“These discussions are still in the infant stages, and no final decisions, or agreements have been made at this time,” Secretary Dr. Mange Matui said.
Secretary Matui said this is a response to a news article titled: “Concern over state of Constitution House” in The National on Wednesday, 5th of March, 2025. Secretary Matui, acknowledged concerns raised in the news article, and agreed that something needs be done about the building.
CLRC’s negotiation with UPNG as the caretaker and owner of the site and building will hopefully result in a formal understanding between the two institutions, aimed at preserving the site for educational purposes and to honour its historical significance for future generations.
This collaboration with UPNG is important to ensure CLRC has the necessary space and organize resources to begin restoration work of the building.
As the country excels towards its 50th Independence Anniversary, it is fitting that such high esteem building be recognized and declared as a monument of historical importance while featuring as part of the Independence celebrations.
The CLRC recognizes the historical importance of the Constitutional House, given its inspiring nature as the designated site where our forefathers as members of the Constitutional Planning Committee (CPC) normally meet and crafted the Constitution before it was adopted by the Constituent Assembly in September 1972.
CLRC strongly feels it has a moral responsibility to involve in the transformation and restoration of this iconic building not only to preserve this piece of the national history but also to promote the legacy of the CPC which is linked to the CLRC’s origins and work of, with CPC being regarded as the CLRC’s primary predecessor.
The CPC was instrumental in guiding and facilitating the creation of a Constitution that would serve as the legal foundation for an independent Papua New Guinea, as well as designing legal, political and governance structures, and consultations and the decolonization process, tasks CLRC continues to carry out daily as the part of its mandate as the only law reform agency of PNG.
