Papua New Guinea district to replace traditional homes with iron roofs

The Wabag District Development Authority (WDDA) in Papua New Guinea is launching a significant rural housing initiative next month. The program aims to replace all traditional kunai thatched houses with modern iron roofing across the district's four local government areas.

Wabag Open MP Dr. Lino Tom confirmed the project's commencement, noting that a two-year delay was experienced in procuring the necessary roofing iron sheets. The WDDA has acquired three specialized machines from China to cut the iron sheets, which began production last week at their warehouse in Lae, Morobe Province.

"When enough sheets have been cut, we will begin the rural housing scheme roll-out throughout the district," MP Lino stated. He emphasized a commitment to transparency and neutrality, ensuring all rural wards begin simultaneously rather than through politically motivated selection. "We want to do it in a more organized way, and those wards who come up with good plans to build modern villages will be prioritized apart from our tribal fighting zones," he added.

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When enough sheets have been cut, we will begin the rural housing scheme roll-out throughout the district.

The second-term MP assured constituents that the WDDA would provide carpenters and Lucas mills to assist in building modern homes by milling local timber. The Taitenges and Aipinimanda wards in the Mai LLG area have already begun milling timber with allocated Lucas mills, a practice that will continue throughout the district.

The roofing iron sheets will be exclusively distributed in an ocean blue color, distinct from the brownish-red sample currently being cut at the WDDA warehouse. This initiative represents a substantial upgrade in living standards for many rural communities in Wabag District.

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We want to do it in a more organized way, and those wards who come up with good plans to build modern villages will be prioritized apart from our tribal fighting zones.