By HARLYNE JOKU
NCD Governor Powes Parkop has responded to criticisms raised by the Central province governor Robert Agarobe regarding the Saraga housing estate saying the project is built on state land and not in Central province.
“The land belongs to the state and is in NCD. He (Robert Agarobe) should focus on Central province which is not realized because the governor chooses to put his energy and effort elsewhere and not his province.
“Port Moresby is not part of Central province. It is a legal entity of its own. It has always been like that since colonial days. Governor Central should accept this legal historical fact and move on. The sooner he does the better it will be for him.
“We are very clear on what we have to do for our city to lift it to the next level and continue our journey of transformation. When settlements end Port Moresby city will be well and truly transformed.
“We are happy to work with Governor Central but don’t need Governor Agarobe’s blessings or approval for our plans,” NCD Governor Parkop told Sunday Bulletin this week.
Governor Parkop, Minister for Lands and Physical Planning John Rosso and Minister for Housing and Urbanization who is Member for Port Moresby South launched the Saraga pilot Housing Estate on Monday Jan 25.
The project is the beginning of the Settlement to Suburb program initiated by NCD Governor Powes Parkop.
Governor Parkop plans to do away with settlements in the city and replace with planned suburbs with people having access to water, electricity, streets, titles and amenities.
