The construction of houses at the Duran Farm Housing Estate in Port Moresby is set to commence, following the electrification launching of the Project recently.

Last week, Prime Minister James Marape, Housing Minister, Dr. Kobby Bomareo and dignitaries officially launched the project, by turning on the electricity to Duran Farm.

This signifies the start of the project, which will see over 2000 houses, being built at the cost of over K28 million.

The Duran Farm Housing Project is a project undertaken by the National Housing Commission. The project aims to build affordable homes for middle class public servants.

Housing Minister, Dr Kobby Bomareo in his remarks thanked the Marape-Rosso Government. For their vision in providing affordable homes for the people.

The Minister said the Duran Farm project began in 2014, but has been delayed over the years, due to legacy issues and other management issues.

“We started very slow, we don’t have a proper board to protect some of our decisions. We have our management in place, but management were too slow,” the Minister said.

The Minister said this will not repeat under his leadership.

Five project developers have been appointed by the National Housing Corporation to develop the project.

Minister Bomareo challenged the developers to complete the project on time and on budget.

“We have our board already in place. Those developers who are not active, will have their contracts terminated,” the Minister said.

Prime Minister James Marape in his key note address highlight the need for Housing in the country.

He said that housing is an important need and every family needs to be housed.

“As a responsible government. We have made it our call to ensure there is a Housing program rolled out throughout the country. For our citizens to have a house, or land to build their house,” Marape said.

With the delay in the project over the years, the Prime Minister challenged the National Housing Corporation to provide a report on the project.

“We have failed our people big time, in as far as progress in this project. I want to commend the leadership today that we are getting up and get going,” Marape said.