BRIEFLY PNG’s Petroleum and Energy dept building condemned

The offices of Papua New Guinea’s Department of Petroleum and Energy have been condemned and ordered to close immediately.

The Post Courier reported that the National Capital District Commission issued the order to vacate the building at Newtown, Konedobu, on Saturday.

The department was ordered to close because the old office building is unfit for human dwelling, the NCDC said.

The eviction notice was issued after complaints lodged about workers’ safety prompted an investigation.

The investigation found notable defects including cracked ceilings, wet floors, broken walls, exposed electrical wirings, poor ventilation and dismantled roofing iron - thus posing a serious public health concern and fire risk.

It also found that the building was a semi-permanent structure set up for temporary use, but had served the department for a longer period than it should have.

The building at Newtown has been the scene of disgruntled landowners rampage in recent months over non-payments of royalties. It houses units of engineering, economics, top management, policy and legal divisions.