A researcher from the National Research Institute is calling for a shift in how authorities address law and order challenges in Port Moresby, urging a stronger focus on underlying social and economic issues.

Dr Lindsay Kutan said that while enforcement measures are necessary, they do not address the root causes of crime.

“Many of these issues are symptomatic,” he said. “We must ask what is driving them.”

He identified unemployment and youth disengagement as major contributors to criminal activity, pointing to recent research conducted across multiple provinces which revealed a large population of young people lacking access to income opportunities and meaningful engagement.

“They don’t know what to do or how to make ends meet,” he said, warning that without intervention, this could continue to fuel social problems.

Kutan also highlighted what he described as a growing housing crisis, arguing that it must be openly acknowledged before effective solutions can be developed.

“We must admit that we do have a housing crisis in this country,” he said.

He explained that eviction exercises, while often legally justified, are frequently a symptom of deeper systemic failures in urban planning and service delivery.

“When people are displaced, we must ask, where do they go?” he said.

Dr Kutan stressed the importance of balancing legal enforcement with humanitarian considerations, noting that policies must protect both property rights and the dignity of individuals.

He called for a coordinated holistic approach involving government agencies, the private sector and communities working together to address housing shortages, create employment opportunities and support vulnerable populations.

Dr Kutan also urged policymakers to ensure that any new legislation, including the Vagrancy Act, upholds the rights and wellbeing of all citizens.

“At the end of the day, development must be about people,” he said. “Every Papua New Guinean deserves a decent life and equal opportunity.”

His remarks highlighted the need for long-term solutions to complement immediate enforcement measures, reinforcing the message that sustainable progress will depend on addressing both the symptoms and root causes of urban challenges.