NHC assures Five Mile tenants no eviction, confirms renovation program

National Housing Corporation [NHC] Managing Director Abel Tol has assured tenants at Section 80, Lots 1 to 10 along Henou Drive in Port Moresby that they will not be evicted, dismissing rumours circulating on social media about forced removals and property sales.

Tol said the current activity at the site [Five Mile] is strictly a renovation and maintenance exercise under a national NHC program aimed at restoring run-down State housing properties.

“The work taking place here is not eviction. It is renovation and maintenance,” he told tenants during a visit to the property, a week after NHC machinery moved in to remove debris and illegal structures around the flats.

He said NHC officers will assess the condition of the 10 residential blocks and determine whether they can be renovated or if demolition and construction of new buildings is required to improve living conditions for tenants.

Tol also rejected claims that the property had been sold to an Asian company, reassuring that the land and the 40 housing units remain fully under NHC ownership.

“This property is not for sale. It remains 100 per cent the property of the National Housing Corporation,” he said.

The NHC boss explained that tenants were formally issued notices as early as February this year, followed by a reminder notice in August, advising them of the clean-up and renovation process.

“The notice issued on February 17 outlined the removal of makeshift structures, old vehicles, betel nut sellers, street vending, trees, shrubs and rubbish within the premises, followed by fencing and renovation of all units,” Mr Tol said.

“We went door to door to serve these notices, so it should not come as a surprise to tenants.”

He said rumours suggesting tenants were not informed, or that the property had been sold to foreign interests, were false and misleading.

Tol clarified that workers currently on site are NHC employees, not private contractors, and form part of the corporation’s construction and maintenance team.

“This is just the beginning of a bigger task. NHC properties across Port Moresby and around the country are run down and have been misused for illegal activities over many years,” he said.

He said the Five Mile flats are located in a prime area and that redeveloping the property will benefit tenants, the surrounding community and the State.

“We are not trying to sell this property. We are trying to renovate it so tenants can live in a better environment and NHC can sustainably manage its assets,” Tol said.

He also reminded tenants that the flats remain heavily subsidised, with rents as low as K250 per fortnight for two and three-bedroom units.

“You cannot find that rate anywhere else in this suburb,” he said.

Meanwhile, Tol said inspections had uncovered illegal activities, including tenants allowing betel nut vendors to store goods within NHC flats.

He said strict enforcement measures will be applied to stop illegal vending and other unlawful activities on NHC properties.

“We are not blaming the vendors who are looking for opportunities, but tenants who are allowing these activities to take place will be held responsible,” Tol said.

He said NHC has records of all occupants and will ensure compliance with housing regulations as the renovation program progresses.

The renovation and maintenance exercise will begin in Port Moresby before rolling out to other NHC properties nationwide.