Minister opens market

THE refurbished Mt Hagen market in Western Highlands will be accessible to the public today after it was opened yesterday by State Enterprises Minister William Duma.
The market was closed temporarily after the start of the Covid-19 pandemic and the Australian government, in partnership with the national government, funded K7.5 million for a facelift.
Duma, who is Hagen MP, expressed sympathy for farmers that had been forced to sell their produce at other local markets which affected their daily earnings.
He said the people of Western Highlands were thankful to the Australian government’s support, through the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, to the National Government as part of its Covid-19 recovery exercise.
Duma said the redevelopment of the market boosted the morale of farmers who would have access to better facilities at the market.
He said the market would be essential for the recovering economy.
Duma said while surrounding provinces had resources such as oil, gas and gold, Western Highlands’ main resource was its fertile land which needed to be developed through cash crops, livestock and vegetables.