PM launches canoe festival in Western

PRIME Minister James Marape was in Balimo, Middle Fly electorate in Western yesterday to launch the 12th Gogodala Canoe Festival.
He was accompanied by Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Emil Tammur and Forest Minister Solan Mirisin.
Marape and Tammur launched the Balimo Seida Genama – the men’s long house.
The long house will act as a traditional museum and house all the local carvings and traditional totem poles including replica of the long dug-out canoes used in the festival and by the people of Balimo.
Marape, upon arrival, also informed the people of Balimo of the Government’s commitment to help their local members upgrade and seal the Balimo airstrip.
Marape witnessed the presentation of a cheque for K1 million to upgrade the Balimo district hospital.
He spent the night in Balimo to witness the formal Gogodala Canoe Racing Festival today before he returns to Port Moresby.