City authority to conduct home inspections

Caption:  (front row- second from right) Governor Parkop posing with his team and general inspectors.

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, October 26, 2014 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

THE National Capital District Commission has announced tough measures to implement its powers under various laws that govern the capital- through a house to house general inspection starting in the coming week.

In a press conference held yesterday, Governor for NCD Powes Parkop pointed out that the exercise was not new but was within the laws and regulations of the municipal authority in enforcing for a conducive environment for its citizens.

It will cover all sectors of structural dwellings from business house building to homes in residential areas to the urban settlements and villages within the city’s periphery.

All properties to be inspected will take into consideration laws like the Public Health Act, Building, General Trade and Licensing, Liquor Licensing, Footpath and maintenance, Litter law, Public health sanitation and general, the Environment Contaminant act, and the Betelnut control law.

He pointed out that existing exercises of a similar nature have only been undertaken on a commercial scale in terms of business houses in the city.

“This exercise is to enforce and encourage so that preventative health care is maintained in light of many issues that have arisen over the years where cases of diseases like TB and other diseases have been on the rise,” Governor Parkop said.

He also dispelled any assumptions that the inspection was in response to events like the 2015 South Pacific Games or the 2018 APEC summit only, but was for the city’s general upkeep and health standard.

“From the next few months (October to December) commercial, suburban and proper settlements in the city will fall into the exercise,” Parkop said.

“Many of the dwellings in the city are not well kept for human occupation and under health regulations some will have to be condemned.”

“It will cost us initially K600,000 to conduct the exercise which will consist on health inspectors and general inspectors that will be trained to assist us complete the task.”

Governor Parkop called on all residents to expect officers from the health division, with a total of 7 health inspectors and 17 general inspectors, all with uniforms and identification.

He also maintained that defaulters identified would be given time to improve their conditions before penalties could be imposed.

“We are going to place emphasis to inspect toilets, showers, and the kitchen statuses, as they are vital areas that contribute to good sanitary living.”

Chief Health Surveyor for NCD, Isowa More, also called on other governmental agencies and departments to join the inspection team to prepare in case they come across situations and issues that they may interest them.

“We will be gathering household data and the types of activities being undergone in premises, using the Public Health act and NCD bylaws,” More said.

“Anything we come across that do not fall into our criteria of inspection that are illegal will be reported to the relevant authorities.”

Deputy City Manager for Community and Social Services, Honk Kiap added that as the city authority, they are mandated to create and conducive environment for its residents.

“For those who may think we are impeaching on your rights must understand that in the city everyone live together and your rights must not interfere with another persons right to live here and that is why we have laws in place for a common good of all residents,” Kiap said.

Pilot areas to undergo the inspection trials include Waigani Heights, Four Mile, North Waigani, Tokarara and Hohola.