Register cultural groups, says minister

Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Isi Henry Leonard has urged cultural groups, arts and performing groups and festivals to register with the National Cultural Commission (NCC) to be recognised.
Leonard said this during the launching of the 15th Sepik River Crocodile and Arts Festival in Port Moresby last week.
He said each cultural groups will be given recognition, prominence and support once they are affiliated through the NCC.
“It is incumbent on each and every one to come and register your festivals and cultural groups through the NCC, so we are able to assist you to benefit more,” Leonard said.
Leonard called for the need to do proper regulation, control and monetising of culture and tradition in the country so that the people in their localities would benefit out of this process.
“NCC is the only authority in the country responsible to regulate anything that belongs to culture and tradition in the country.
“If we do not regulate and control it, somebody else will monetise it, and our people will miss out, whether it be cultural groups or festivals,” he said.
He hailed the Sepik River Crocodile committee, led by secretary Jacob Marek, for its efforts in ensuring the festival was registered with NCC and presented a cheque for K10,000 to the committee.