New Kapal Haus (House)

‘K28 million plan to replace gutted HQ’

By JAMES APA GUMUNO*

A new Kapal Haus will be built in Mt Hagen to replace the one that was burnt down last October.The Western Highlands provincial government will build the new Kapal Haus at a cost of K28 million. Governor Tom Olga and his provincial executive council accepted one of the two architectural designs for the new Kapal Haus presented by Urec & PM Limited yesterday during the concept presentations at Hotel Kimininga.

The construction of the new K28.8 million building will commence late next year. The building will be shaped like a kundu drum and will be five storeys tall, one floor more than the old one. It will have two wings – one for political heads and the other for the administration. It will also house a restaurant, banking service, a travel agent and an aid post. Office spaces on the ground floor will also be let out.

The roof will have a helipad. Mr Olga, who unveiled the building plan to the media, said funding would come from various sources. He said K3 million would come from the insurance payments for the old Kapal Haus, K6.5 million from the National Government, and K7 million would come from district support grants from each of the seven districts in the province.

Kapal Haus - Western Highlands Province's capital building was burnt down to the ground last year by rascals (criminals). The new proposed K28.8 million building will be built on the same site if no proper land is sourced - Pic by Malum Nalu (www.malumnalu.blogspot.com)

He said the balance would be sourced from other sources including banks and export credit facilities. The building would retain the name Kapal Haus, in honour of the province’s former premier, Philip Kapal. Mr Olga said that Western Highlands Development Authority would spearhead the new development in consultation with a new project committee. The location of the new building has not yet been decided.

Mr Olga said due to limited space in Mt Hagen, the PEC was thinking of moving the provincial headquarters out of the city, or to a new location within the city. Soil tests are currently being done at a number of locations.Mr Olga has instructed the chairman of the Western Highlands Development Authority, Alphonse Nikints, to ensure the project runs smoothly.

He said completion of all documentation and mobilisation of materials would take about a year, before the actual construction begins.Police have been unable to convict anyone in relation to the burning down of the Kapal Haus on Oct 22 last year. Last month, the National Court discharged seven security guards who were held in connection with the burning down of the Kapal Haus due to lack of evidence.

Gumuno is a journalist with The National and based in Mount Hagen, WHP, PNG *

*** Finally, the Western Highlands Provincial government is taking steps toward constructing a new provincial building in Mount Hagen. Hope necessary documents and financial support is available to get this project off the ground sooner than reported.

The people of Western Highlands Province are kept in the dark by not revealing the real culprits who burnt the previous building. This is a disgrace to many who contributed immensely in various capacities to the construction of Kapal Haus. The Western Highlands police and provincial government must revisit previous suspects and open the investigation again thoroughly to bring those involved in these criminal acts to justice.

If all these parties let this slip away, I am afraid that the new proposed K28.8 million will again be a waste of time, money, effort, and resources as it will also go up in flames if Olga looses or wins in the next election. Western Highlands Province has a long history of politics and I don't want history to repeat itself. For those who are not familiar with politics in WHP, let me remind you candidly that we do politics differently. FYI.

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