Papua New Guinea, the land of the unexpected is a line that indeed speaks for itself. Boasting of its rich flora and fauna both on land and under the sea, the country’s culture and traditions are also some of the attractions that play a factor in bringing in international visitors.
PNG’s Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Emil Tammur, while inspecting the Institute of Papua New Guinea Studies (IPNGS) with his senior officers, made an additional funding from the Public Investment Program (PIP) of K100, 000 towards the institute’s renovation purposes.
“I want to see everything so show me. Don’t worry about the bad states of the facilities because I am here to see them all,” Minister Tammur told the institute’s Acting Director, Professor Don Niles.
He said the Government was facing cash flow issues but within few months with limited funding, they have done much.
While presenting the institute with the additional funding, the Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture stated that PNG culture was here to stay.
“I have a short term and long term plan for the National Cultural Commission and its cultural institutions,” Mr Tammur said.
Minister Tammur commented that the focus now is to rebuild the National Cultural Commission (NCC) and its cultural institutions so that NCC and its institutions could continue to preserve, safeguard and promote PNG’s national treasure.
The Acting Executive Director of NCC, Mr Kilanda thanked Minister Tammur for his continued support and creating environment conducive for the government agencies under his Ministry to be exposed and advance; adding that if it was not for the Minister, the changes and the exposure of NCC and its cultural institutions that were seen today would not have happened.
“But I am thankful that because of his political will we are able to see the changes that are happening to all our institutions,” he said.
He added that for a very long time now he has received this kind of funding for the purpose of renovating the place he looked after.
Professor Niles promised the Minister and the Acting Executive Director that the funds that he received would be used on the intended purpose and the report, including the acquittal would be furnished.
Source: National Cultural Commission
