The Marape Government by way of responding to the country’s need for housing passed the Strata Title Management Bill on the floor of Parliament in last Wednesday’s (March 23rd) sitting.

Coupled with the high cost of living especially in the Nation’s capital, Port Moresby, among other things, housing in PNG remains a major concern for many Papua New Guineans and every year the need for more affordable housing increases.

According to Prime Minister James Marape, as there is shortage in land and given the high rise in the population, the Strata Title Management Bill allows for people to buy units and apartments in high rise buildings.

“This law was first talked about 20 years ago,” PM Marape said.

“It may seem just like any ordinary Act of Parliament that we’re passing today, however, far that.

“This has a direct value on the economy.

“If one person owns a piece of real estate in an urban area and decides to build a 20-floor building, in which you can find over 60-70 units, these can be individually titled out.

“You don’t need to own a piece of land to have title to an apartment that you can call as home.”

The PM reiterated that the passing of this law aims to modernize some of the legacy issues that the country has carried throughout the years and commended Lands and Physical Planning Minister, John Rosso as well as thanked both sides of Parliament for enabling this new law.

Prime Minister James Marape along with other members of parliament paid their respects to the late member for Goilala, William Samb whose body lay in state at Parliament House today (Thursday 24th March).

Late Goilala MP and former Commerce and Industry Minister, William Samb becomes the second MP whose casket laid in State at the Parliament House, just three months into the year 2022.

When paying tribute to the late Member of Parliament, Prime Minister James Marape said Samb was a person who put others ahead of himself.

This was exemplified when Samb unselfishly gave heavy machinery to North Bougainville on behalf of the people of Goilala recently, the Prime Minster said.

“He handed over K2million worth of machinery to our lovely people of North Bougainville and he made a profound statement: “Benefits, North Bougainville people you will get, but blessings Goilala will receive”.

“Samb belonged to the new generation of leaders who emerged to put the interest of our country first, he said.

The late MP was also acknowledged for his support in passing the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) Act and the Whistleblowers’ Act in 2020.

Who would have thought that a brother from Goilala would have assisted a brother from Tari?, PM Marape said as he remembered the good nature of the late Willliam Samb whose selflessness will be remembered by those who knew him.

The late MP Samb passed away on Thursday (March 3rd) at the age of 48 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates whilst on duty travel.

He was first elected into the 9th term of Parliament in year 2015 through a by-election for Goilala Open Electorate following the passing of then MP Daniel Mona and was re-elected into the 10th Parliament during the 2017 National General Election and served the people of Goilala until his untimely passing.

He is survived by his wife and three children.

He becomes the seventh Member of parliament to have passed on during this 10th Parliament.

*Pictures: Courtesy of Parliament Media Team

Governor General, Grand Chief Sir Bob Dadae, has expressed sadness at the passing of Minister of State and Member for Goilala late, William Samb and former Member for Kavieng, Ben Micah.

The GG described late Mr. Samb as a “man for the people” who carried out his duties with quiet dignity and a determination to do well for his people.

“The late William Samb was a man for the people he represented on the floor of Parliament. With quiet dignity and determination, his quest was to deliver services for his people of Goilala. As a Minister of State, he had held various ministerial portfolios and was recently made Minister for Commerce and Industry. He first entered Parliament after successfully contesting the 2015 Goilala Open seat by-election. The people of Goilala have lost a great leader in the late Mr. Samb. Lady Emeline joins me in extending to Mrs. Samb, children and immediate and extended families of the late Hon. Samb our deepest sympathies and condolences. May God’s grace comfort you all during this difficult time,” Grand Chief Sir Bob said.

Meantime, Grand Chief Sir Bob has also conveyed his condolences to the family and people of Kavieng on the passing of former Member for Kavieng Ben Micah.

The late Mr. Micah passed away in Port Moresby yesterday.

Grand Chief Sir Bob has described Mr. Micah as a political stalwart whose presence and influence has had a significant impact in the country’s political landscape well before he became a politician.

“The late Mr. Micah demonstrated a natural talent for politics and was not afraid to lead student protests to express opposition to political decisions that he deemed detrimental and inapt for the nation. Political negotiation was his forte and his influence was instrumental in turning the tide of politics that contributed to major political events in our nation’s short history. Lady Dadae joins me in conveying to the immediate family and extended families and the people of Kavieng our deepest sympathies and condolences. May God’s grace comfort and keep you during this difficult time,” Grand Chief Sir Bob said.

As Months turn into weeks before the Issuing of Writs for the 2022 National General Elections, sitting Kairuku-Hiri MP, Peter Isoaimo, continues to question if there will be a split in his electorate.

In addressing locals at Boera village, Isoaimo said though reports were completed by the Electoral Boundaries Commission, it was not debated on the floor of Parliament in the last sitting.

The report which includes the electorate’s census and boundaries of Kairuku-Hiri reached the National Executive Council (NEC) and the Government, however, due to unclear markings of the district’s boundaries, it was sent back to the EBC for a review.

“In the next session of Parliament which resumes on the 22nd of March, I will raise the issue. For Kairuku-Hiri it is ready to split, just like using a scissors to cut a ribbon”, stated MP Isoaimo.

He said the electorate has already established two separate Administrations including plans for infrastructural developments.

“I am not sure of the other electorates that have campaigned in the report as well, like Alotau in Milne Bay, Talasea in West New Britain, Tambul-Nabilyer in Western Highlands and Laiagap-porgera in Enga as there are financial and administrative implications”.

The Kairuku-Hiri MP further stated that the reports have to be debated and adopted on the floor of parliament in the next session so that the Department of Personnel Management can begin work on establishing new administrations for the new district(s) with support from Finance and Treasury Departments to work on the budgetary process and create DSIP funding when additional seats are created in parliament.

As for Kairuku-Hiri, the split needs to happen as it is a burden for an MP to deliver services to two separate districts that have the highest population in Central Province. The last census conducted in 2011 showed that the electorate had a population of about 121,584 which is twice the population of all the other districts in Central Province and has not been updated since.

MP Isoaimo reiterated that it was a difficult journey, but he is grateful for the support given by Government departments, stakeholders and international agencies to deliver infrastructural projects.

The MP hopes that the decision be made final on the floor of Parliament before the writs are issued on the 28th of April.