The efforts by the Constitutional and Law Reform Commission (CLRC) to develop a piece of land know as portion 2519 located at Boroko for the construction of a government office complex, will proceed following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Housing Corporation on Tuesday 26^th March 2024.

The MoU was signed by CLRC Chairman Hon. Saki Soloma and Housing Minister, Hon. Dr. Kobby Bomareo and witnessed by CLRC Secretary, Dr. Mange Matui and NHC Acting Managing Direct, Mr. Abel Tol.

Among other things, the MoU will ensure NHC withdraws the court case WS. No. 301 of 2023, that prevented CLRC’s eviction efforts on tenants of NHC properties and settlers on the said land in July 2023.

The MoU also provides option for an office space or area for separate building for NHC, and allocation of allotments for CLRC at Duran Farm, apart from the eviction exercise.

CLRC Chairman Hon. Saki Soloma thanked Minister Bomareo and Mr. Tol for their leadership, adding the arrangement will particularly address the rental challenges CLRC currently faces.

“We are all here to serve this country so instead of NHC being territorial, they have embraced this arrangement that caters for our shared interests,” he said.

Hon. Soloma said the intention for the development of the land was for CLRC to build public office complex to house all Constitutional Offices, adding that funds have already be committed by the government for this project.

Housing Minister Hon. Dr. Kobby Bomareo, in applauding CLRC said NHC is there to attend to housing matters and is open to dialogue with relevant stakeholders.

He said the initiative by CLRC to build the office complex for the Constitutional Offices is timely as it will ensure a one stop-shop service center for the public.

“We have to come out from renting office to owning buildings and that is what the current Marape -Rosso Government is promoting and CLRC is taking a bold step in collaboration with NHC,” Minister Bomareo said.

Minister Bomareo also emphasized the need for the housing for public servants which NHC is willing to work in partnership with CLRC to bring to realization with the arrangement at Duran Farm.

CLRC Secretary Dr. Mange Matui said the MOU is the result of round table discussions and negations with NHC for the matter to be addressed outside of court given the fact that the two agencies ultimately serve the interest of the Government and the State.

“The mutual interest of CLRC and NHC is expressed in this MOU and we will stick with the understanding going forward on developing the land,” the Secretary said.

Acting Managing Director for NHC Mr. Abel Tol said the court action was taken to protect the properties and interests of NHC.  He thanked CLRC for consulting and acknowledging the interests and concerns of NHC, which is overlooked on many occasions by land title holders.

“I would like to thank CLRC for actually taking note of our concerns and finally coming up with this MOU, which is a way forward for both NHC and CLRC,” Mr. Tol said.

Mr. Tol also acknowledged that the NHC properties on the portion of land are run down and do not generate the expected revenue for a prime location, adding that the new arrangement will give back credit to NHC in terms of space for separate office building and also change the face of the city.