THE Papua New Guinea National Research Institute has launched its discussion paper to assist in the upgrading of the growing informal settlement in the country.
The research paper number 190 compiled by PNGNRI deputy director for research, Associate Professor Eugene Ezebilo and professor Patrice Savadogo titled “Strategy to improve the living conditions in informal settlements in PNG: Evidence from Port Moresby.”
The research was done in 10 informal settlements in Port Moresby and the result shows housing is an issue to the growing population in PNG.
The paper was compiled to give policy makers ideas to deal with the informal settlement that are popping up in the cities and towns in a more favorable manner where both parties are satisfied.
Ezebilo said housing is one major concern why most informal settlements are increasingly growing in our cities.
He said most of the people living in the informal settlements are middle to low income earners that could not afford to live in a formal settlement in the suburbs due to the huge rental fees charged. But on the other hand the government is resorting to eviction as the solution.
The research presented shows that more informal settlers are keen to pay the service charge associated to improving infrastructures and development to upgrade informal settlement for them to live in.
“We’re PNG and we have the right to live anywhere in PNG and eviction is not right,” said Ezebilo.
PNGNRI Acting Director Doctor Osborne Sanida said the study aims to contribute to the urban development planning by providing guidelines that can be used to upgrade the informal settlements in an effective and efficient manner.
“I am not in support of the unplanned settlement. However, government policy must address the welfare of all citizens,” said Sanida.
He said the settlement issue in PNG is a continuous issue and there are arguments for and against settlement development and that could not be ignored.
PNGNRI continues to work in partnership with other agencies and partners to make researches that can assist policy makers to implement positive change in the country.