PNG to build major city at Nadzab, says Acting PM Rosso

The PNG Government has reiterated its commitment to building a major city at Nadzab in Morobe Province, Acting Prime Minister John Rosso said yesterday.

Rosso said the new city would be developed to cater for the increasing population and to provide better services and housing for the people.

 PNG to build major city at Nadzab, says Acting PM Rosso

He made the announcement during a high-level seminar in Port Moresby hosted by the Special Parliamentary Committee on Customary Land and Land Reforms and the United Nations.

As Lands Minister and Lae MP, Rosso said the project was part of the Government’s long-term urban development plan, but he warned that land disputes needed to be addressed first.

“Nadzab is a government priority because we want to develop a new town,” Rosso said.

“We need to build a town with proper streets and services.

“However, there are also some complex issues with landowners that need to be sorted out first.”

International Trade and Investment Minister Richard Maru previously told Parliament that the Government faced funding constraints in its bid to build new cities.

“History has shown that governments have wanted to build cities but we have not built one since independence,” Maru said.

“The issue remains with funding.

“We have to build modern cities.”

Morobe Governor Rainbo Paita called for stronger consultation between the national and provincial governments.

“The land at Nadzab has been under-utilised,” Paita said.

“You want to work with local government and local leaders to expand the airport into a city.

“How will this partnership look like for us at the provincial level?”