EHP urged to support cultural centre

THE National Cultural Commission (NCC) wants the Eastern Highlands government to support the Cultural Centre which comes under its mandate.
NCC executive director Steven Kilanda handed over K20,000 to the centre in Kainantu last week.
“We have seen that the EH Cultural Centre was run down (while) it is under the provincial government care,” he said.
“The staff are being paid by the provincial government, but the provincial administration is not giving the attention needed. It is a government institution – not a private organisation or centre.
“Eastern Highlands is the gateway to the Highlands region and international tourists come in and move out, so it is a very important asset.”
Meanwhile, Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Isi Henry Leonard said a submission was presented to Cabinet for the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Waigani to be occupied by the NCC.
“Regarding our office space, there is a submission presented to the National Executive Council which in principal has been accepted,” he said.
“We should take over that ICC.
“There are some renovations that needed to be made. We can fix it and move in there. The NCC and I even do not have an office.”
He said it was about time work was done to ensure a growth in cultural tourism.