EdaRanu launches housing policy

Caption:  (from left) EdaRanu CEO Henry Mokono, Minister Micah, and Chairlady Mary Karo, all singing the national anthem


By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, September 15, 2013 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)



STAFF and management of Eda Ranu along with their families had two big reasons to smile last week as they celebrated the country’s 38th Independence anniversary in style by launching their new housing policy, at the Don Bosco Technological Institute Hall in Port Moresby.

The policy will enable staff of the city’s only water supplier to be accommodated under three categories under the policy which are; home ownership; institutional housing; and rental accommodation.

Home ownership will be for first time home owners only with options to buy homes on the open market, buy piece of land in the city and build, build in an approved settlement, or build on customary land.

Under the institutional housing category Eda Ranu will build on its own land to allocate housing to its employees who do not meet the criteria to participate in the home ownership arrangement, employees can also opt for rental accommodation.

Eda Ranu Chairlady Mary Karo, thanked the government for its confidence in the board that was installed eight months ago early this year, who have achieved a lot which said could have been lip service in the past.

She said that with all the achievements of her board and management, nothing would have been possible without her workers on the ground.

“Today we are here to announce the new policy which caters for an essential need that is housing- it along with water are two essential elements of survival.”

“We mean business and credit must be given to where it is due- we do not want to talk only but do it,” she said.

On top of the various water projects undertaken in partnership with MPs in NCD that never existed before, Mrs Karo also said there would be major maintenance projects to start on the all reservoir tanks in and around the city.

Staff members present said that they were pleased and excited with the board and management who have realised their plight- saying that the policy would greatly boost staff morale as it gave them different options where no one would feel left out.

Special Guest and Minister for State Enterprises Ben Micah said that the policy was a commendable one and that he would support it along with the government.

He however challenged the board and management to not let it become another housing scheme.

“There are too many paper housing schemes, and what you are doing here is addressing a basic human need.”

“38 years have gone by and still we do not own the economy, and just owning a house will enable us to start that small step to economic independence.”

Also announced were the new areas that water would be supplied to, areas like 9 Mile and Laloki are next on the radar to bring water to- with the ATS project already underway and the Tatana water project to start on September 23.






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