PNG PM Marape Launches Port Moresby City Urban development plan
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape launched the National Capital District (NCD) Urban Development Plan in Port Moresby today.
In a media release, he thanked NCD Governor Hon. Powes Parkop for going ahead with the event despite the current political situation.
Prime Minister Marape said the Government was here to ensure services to the people were functioning.
He commended Governor Parkop for continuing to work to improve the lives of Papa New Guineans living and working in Port Moresby.
Prime Minister Marape said urbanisation was a global trend and PNG was no exception.
“In the 1960s, 33 per cent of the world population lived in urban areas,” he said.
“Today, on average, the world population living in urban areas has gone past 50 per cent.
“in fact, 52 per cent live in urban areas all over the world.”
Prime Minister Marape said people were moving to urban areas in search of employment and better services.
He said he would be the first to admit that, often, he questioned the amount of public funds spent in urban areas like Port Moresby and Lae.
Prime Minister Marape added that when one looked at population density, there was a greater number of Papua New Guineans living in NCD and Lae, compared to other towns in the country.
He supported Governor Parkop’s statement that NCD interventions contributed to national outcomes.
“This is one place that can have the greatest influence on the outcome of the mindset, behaviour and the progress of our country,” Prime Minister Marape said.
“I am happy to be here to launch a plan that directs what our capital city will look like into the future.
Prime Minister Marape called on the people of NCD and neighbouring Central Province to work together to build Port Moresby and a Central city in the near future.
He said this was 2020 and leaders now had the hindsight to make better decisions and plan better for the good of all Papua New Guineans.
Prime Minister Marape hopes the 10-year year plan would also free up land that people could buy at an affordable price to build their homes on and become property owners.
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