Court proceeding continues to deprive the Eastern Highlands people of a new market for the last three years.
The disagreements between Goroka Open MP Bire Kimisopa and EHP Governor Julie Soso had restricted the redevelopment of K22 million Goroka Market.
Governor Soso in Parliament asked the Finance Minister James Marape to direct the Central Supply and Tenders Board (CSTB) to tender the market process.
She said money for the project is safe and kept in a trust account.
Meanwhile, Minister Marape in response confirmed the funding is still being held in the trust account but said he will seek clarification if the dispute by the two parliamentarians is still before the court.
“I will direct the Central Supply and Tenders Board to reassess if there are court cases or not, and (if not) tendering must take effect before the elections,” Marape said.
The Provincial Government have allocated K10 million for the project and National Government K12 million.
Picture by Kennedy Bani.