Govt cultural-show funding eyed

National

TOURISM Arts and Culture Minister Emil Tammur says his ministry is working on a policy submission to Parliament for the Government to fund major cultural festivals through the national budget.
Speaking during the opening of the 62nd Goroka Show last weekend, he said maintaining and promoting cultural festivals was not only important for tourism but also for our identity as a unique and culturally-diverse nation.
About 150 cultural groups from across Papua New Guinea and more than 1000 international tourists attended the show.
Tammur said that unlike many other countries in the world, “we are a unique nation of 850-plus unique languages and over 1000 different tribes and cultures”.
“More importantly, we own 80 per cent of the land as individuals, clans and tribes,” he said.
“What this means is that we have the right to determine what sort of economic developments we want for ourselves on our land.
“We must use these birthrights to embrace tourism and agricultural developments as real sustainable industries.
“Oil, gas, gold and copper will benefit only a few including the rich, but tourism and agriculture will benefit the little ordinary people right in the rural communities and for a long time into the future.”
Tammur commended the show organisers, including chairwoman Keryn Hargreaves, for continuously and successfully hosting the event over many years.
He said cultural festivals in PNG were becoming challenging and difficult to host because of the high costs involved.
Tammur thanked State entities such as the Tourism Promotion Authority and National Gaming Control Board for their funding support to cultural festivals, including the Goroka Show.
He also commended corporate sponsors and other stakeholders, saying their continued support would be needed moving forward.
Tammur encouraged Papua New Guineans to be positive advocates for meaningful development and change within our communities.
He said this was by appreciating the decision by our founding fathers to gain independence for our country instead of being critical of Government all the time.
Eastern Highlands Governor Peter Numu MP told showgoers it was his Government’s aim to revive tourism in the province and bring it back to its glory days as the hub of the Highlands.
He said his government would give priority to the tourism sector in the 2019 provincial budget, with increased funding.
Numu said they would also work with the TPA and other stakeholders to grow the tourism sector.
The 62nd Goroka Show – under the theme, Promoting Agriculture and Tourism – Our Culture Our Identity – started with the Pikinini Festival on Friday and ended on Independence Day on Sunday.