By Julie Badui Owa – EMTV News, Lae
Representatives from Market Authorities from four Provinces met today (16 October,2018) in Lae to share ideas on how to improve the operations of their market facilities
Goroka market authority rep from Eastern Highlands said they were still using old facilities.
New developments were delayed due to political disagreements.
The local farmers of fresh produce in Goroka are now seeking market outside of Goroka town, due to the deteriorating market facilities established 57 years ago.
For years, farmers have been trying their best to export their produce to Port Moresby and other provincial centers with better market facilities.
Manager for Gahuku Local Level Government, Ishmael Sabak said this morning during the Market Development Facility workshop that, the delay in improving the market was due to political disagreements over the years.
The Market Development Facility, or MDF workshop today brought representatives from market facilities from four provinces to share ideas on how to improve the operations of their market facilities.
The four market authorities that attended the workshop this morning were, Lae City Authority, East New Britain, NCD and Goroka, Eastern Highlands.
Others who attended included reps from NARI, NKW, PNG Women in Agriculture and FPDA.
The maintenance of Goroka Market will begin next year with support from the National Planning Office with K12.2 million and the Eastern Highlands Provincial Government with K10 million.