Settlers in Moresby North East in Ward 12 on Land Portion 884 have been promised settlement upgrade to suburb. Member for Moresby North East John Kaupa revealed to the settlers recently that the Governments plans for Settlement upgrade to Suburb Program will be captured in his 9 Mile Saivara Satellite Township Project. The Satellite Township on its own will cater and benefit 450,000 plus population in his Electorate and the Settlement upgrade to Suburb Program will benefit about 3000 plus families in that Land Portion who are currently residing around and at the back of the 9-mile Cemetery area. By June 2024 this program should come into effect depending on the funding allocations that will come from the National Government as well as the Moresby North East District Development Authority. “From the household survey that was done, everyone has been captured and no one will miss out on this development program.” “We will do desktop cuts for allotment and sections, and we will be giving out 300square meters to 600square meters of land to each family.” Kaupa highlighted that once each family are allocated land, they will also be given land titles so that means these pieces of land will be owned by them for generations. However, Kaupa also added that each family has to come forward with their building plans for their homes so that it meets that required standard of housing structure before they build. “This is a Settlement to Suburb upgrade program therefore all houses must be of permanent structure.” “I have already talked with the Lands Minister John Rosso regarding this program, and he has given his blessing and his willing to work in partnership with the office of Moresby North East for this project.” Kaupa further stated that once the Settlement to Suburb program comes into effect, the excess road now used by the settlers around the cemetery area will be closed off. “We will stop and close off the cemetery road and give the road back to the dead and cemetery users, because a new road will also be built.” “We will also include a recreational area and a sporting field for the residents to enjoy and this will all be part of the main 9 Mile Saivara Satellite Township Project on an area of approximately 35.44 hectares.”