Housing is a basic human right and despite people having the financial capability to build decent homes, however, there is still not enough land available for housing development. These were the sentiments expressed by the National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop, in response to the affairs of the National Housing Corporation (NHC) that was presented by Minister Dr Kobby Bomareo on the floor of Parliament in yesterday’s sitting. Governor Parkop explained that this situation has given rise to unplanned developments, not just in the National Capital District, but other urban centers; a situation that has fast become a major national problem. He offered up a solution that can counter this problem, through granting people security of tenure of land. Governor Parkop has now tasked the National Government through NCD & the Department of Lands & Physical Planning, to unlock unused land tenures around the country. "Lack of security of tenure is contributing to lots of unplanned and poor development in our towns and cities country-wide.” Since Independence, Governor Parkop explained that the NHC has stopped investing in creating new suburbs with housing development and the current suburbs in Gerehu, Rainbow, Waigani, Hohola, Korobosea, Tokarara, and East Boroko were developed during the pre-independence era. As the population grows and the city expands, Governor Parkop said vacant state lands must be freed up to settlers, public servants, individuals, and corporate citizens with the financial capacity to develop them. He also raised the concern that idle land means a loss of revenue for PNG Power Limited, Water PNG, the Lands Department, and NCDC. “NCDC does not have powers over land matters, so it only builds new roads to free up land while increasing its monetary value.” Governor Parkop called on NHC and other housing developers to partner with NCDC and other utility service providers to invest in roads, power, water, and sewerage to make house prices affordable. “Investments must be made in apartments due to land shortage in the urban cities.” Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso commended Governor Parkop and Moresby North-East MP Hon. John Kaupa for being solution-oriented leaders in the housing and lands space.