Port Moresby city is undergoing rapid urban expansion, driven by population increase, infrastructure development, formal and informal construction, national and international development programs, and corporations.

To maintain standards and create a workable structured urban planning effort to the city’s long-term development objectives, the National Capital District (NCD) hosted the NCDC Building Authority Seminar 2026 today at the Hilton Hotel in Port Moresby.

The seminar drew in a little over 300 professionals from the building and infrastructure sector, particularly, architectures, civil engineers, building contractors, building consultants, engineering consultants, and other professionals involved in building constructions and infrastructure development.

Delivering the official opening remark, NCD City Manager Ravu Frank noted that the seminar comes at a crucial time as the country recently celebrated 50 years of independence.

He said that as the country ventures into the next fifty years, he believes this seminar is strategically held at the right time for both the public and private sectors.

“In our pursuit to maintain standards, some of the activities that are conducted, unfortunately, are unregulated.”

“Hence, undermining the structured urban planning efforts and compromising the city’s long-term development objectives.”

The City Manager highlighted that the seminar’s theme, ‘Transformation through Building Compliance and City Development,’ is aligned with the NCD Urban Development Plan 2020 to 2030 together with the Governor’s Proposed Vision 2040, that calls for a total transformation of Port Moresby city.

In addition, he stated that this seminar also provides the platform for the building professionals to speak out on their concerns on areas that need improvement as development is moving at a quicker pace, leaving more room for improvement.

This provides the investors with confidence to invest, secure local job creation, and gives NCDC the opportunity as the City Regulator to grow revenue.

“We as professionals, both at the development perspective and the regulators perspective must ensure that effective, consistent standard that protects both investors and public interest as per the building code, and other associated building regulations and laws.”

“When we as regulators and redevelopers get it right, we create an environment where business can grow and communities can thrive.”

Moreover, he also highlighted that Settlement to Buburb program as a development vision that plays a significant part of the transformation and development of the city.

While the vision 2040 includes infrastructure upgrades, sustainable landings, and improved services to recreate safer, and more organized communities, he urged investors to open new opportunities for development.

Though the Settlement to Suburb program does present foreseeable constraints and challenges, the regulators, developers and investors must provide suitable and sustainable solutions for now and the future.

“We cannot ignore these challenges; we must address it. This Settlement to Suburb program is one of the Governors’ key development strategies for the city.”

“We must give prominence to it, resource it and address it.”

“Guided by the Amazing Port Moresby 2040 Vision, the city is on course to become a resilient, sustainable, liveable, and inclusive capital city that embodies the proud spirit of Papua New Guinea.”

Mr. Frank elaborated on the need for collaboration between the regulators, developers and investors as paramount for one attending to demands of our citizens and more importantly, maintaining compliance.

“Collaboration is compliance. And compliance means delivering projects on time and meeting other needs of the project.”

“The commitment to properly planned modern city has never been abundant but meets proper coordination. And we as professionals are continually reminded of that commitment.”

Meanwhile, he challenged the building professionals to have one common requirement and that is to build a city that is safe for families with clean public spaces, healthy places for the residents, be inclusive in its opportunities, and creating a liveable neighborhood that is well planned for the future.   

This requirement clearly calls for a full and complete compliance to the city’s building and urban development regulations.