The Tourism Promotion Authority has allocated funding to rehabilitate the formerly named Raun Raun Theater in Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province.
The Raun Raun Theater is now known as the National Performing Art Troupe (NPAT) and was originally in a traditional Highlands styled round house.
This is the first time that the NPAT is being given a new facility since its establishment in 1975.
The Director of the NPAT Mr. John Dua explained that the once popular Raun Raun Theater had gone through tough times in the last couple of years and at one staged, faced being demolished.
It was under the leadership of the National Cultural Commission Executive Director Mr. Steven Enomb Kilanda, with support of the Tourism Promotion Authority with funding of K300 000, that the NPAT was saved and there are ongoing efforts being made to revive this once very active cultural institution.
Mr. Dua said the new building would be very welcome as it was high time for a more modern and stable structure to be erected in the place of the traditionally built structure.
‘Since, I became the Director of NPAT, I have operated out of a container officer for the past two decades.”
“But our dream has finally become a reality and funding has been made available to construct a new double story office complex.”
The newly constructed NPAT complex is nearing completion and will be opened in the near future.