The PNG settlements and the country's growth after 49 years

 Yes there are differing opinions whether Papua New Guinea should celebrate it's political independence from Australia or not.

It was 49 years ago on September 16, 1975 the Australian flag was lowered and the PNG flag designed by late Susan Karike Huhume was hoisted.

There was no bloodshed. It was just a peaceful political handover takeover after 74 years of Australian administration.

Well many years before then, the British and the Germans colonised parts of what is now Papua New Guinea.

The Independence and the progress in development certainly outweigh the negative challenges and shortcomings.

Thus the hype and the patriotism to celebrate the Independence.

But 49 years on I think we need to highlight and address this issue- accessing affordable and decent accomodation in urban and metropolitan cities.

If we don't, the social ramifications would be enormous. I don't have expert stats to back this but looking at how the society is evolving and transitioning, we could be up to a stressful situation.

The challenge to affording decent accomodation in Port Moresby is beyond reach. 

Our economic struggles are burdening everyone down the financial chain to salvage everyone or anyone.

Some employers may be happy making huge profits for owners and shareholders but could not appreciate the employees to meet their accomodation needs. 

It's a real big issue. 

Fact. Parents and teenage children are living in just one room in Port Moresby today. 

They cook, they eat, they sleep in one room.

 For me it's terrible. This must stop. For many reasons. 

And these people make Port Moresby city work 24/7.

 Without them and with these challenges they endure everyday, month and year, they however put a smiling face and serve their employer. They make the city function. They move government work.

Think about the woman behind the till at the supermarket, a driver, a janitor, or even a public servant, just to name a few.

These people are struggling.

In my estimate, an individual can afford a decent home with rooms, shower, toilet, kitchen and good security if one is paid K120,000 per annum.

Do you think an employer would be willing to pay such to an employee if the return on investment is negative? I doubt it.

Hurtful truth readers, the children in Port Moresby today put a smile and go to school, had a bath from just a shared common tap where water pressure is sometimes very low. 

They would queue to use a shared toilet. These are realities. 

The disparity in affording decent accomodation that promotes security, privacy, communal family dining, hygiene,prayer together, sleeping well dead like a dog without being disturbed by disrespectful noise and especially between someone living at Touaguba Hill and a Port Moresby settlement has widened so much.

 But people living in settlements have enormously contributed to the development of Port Moresby 49 years on. 

We need to proactively address this immediately and having affordable and decent accomodation should be improved as we journey into the next 50 years. 

We must seriously think about this and as we commemorate independence, let's addressing accomodation challenges. Let's be fair to everyone. 

Happy 49th Independence Papua New Guinea. Let's challenge the status quo and design solutions.