Cultural programs can provide the platform to drive other development agendas in the country, Enga Governor Sir Peter Ipatas, has said.

Sir Ipatas said this following the launch of the Malamata Yapo Culture Festival and the opening of the Malamata cultural center at Karawari Local Level Government, remote area on the border of Enga and East Sepik Province.

The Governor had traveled there with National Cultural Commission executive director, Steven Enomb Kilanda, to officiate the events on August 13, 2023. “It is through cultural events and programs that can bring changes and development into communities,” he said. “Tourism is one of the avenues that generates income. Culture provides the platforms that brings together people from all over the country and world especially tourists. When these people come to our communities, they bring with them money and invest back into the communities.

“One of our main agendas for the province is to grow the tourism industry. We will therefore combine our culture and way of doing things (pasin custom) to grow the industry,” he said.

Sir Ipatas also announced that he would purchase a sawmill for the community school and further provide to the school a total of K200, 000 over the next two years.

“Education and health are priority areas because it is through education that will carry the name of Enga and better health to provide care for the people of Enga,” he said. He said he plans to return Malamata Primary School and looks forward towards building a new aid post.

He said he would erect fencing around the Malamata rural airstrip and subsidize airfares for public servants serving in rural stations, especially teachers and medical orderlies. He further said the Enga Provincial government will subsidize the airfares for the public servants who served in the rural stations especially teachers in the area doing government business.

Governor Ipatas commended NCC for driving development into the local communities through cultural programs and services, and urged Mr. Kilanda to continue the great work he has started.