FORMER Chief Executive Officer of the Kokoda Track Authority, Mr. James Enage, has called for an urgent stakeholders’ meeting to address the recent closure of the iconic Kokoda Track, which occurred on the eve of Papua New Guinea’s Independence Day (September 16, 2024).
Frustrated landowners from Mt. Kodu, Naoro Village, have blocked the track, demanding that the Government release the outstanding K40 million from the Socio-Economic Development Package, which was earmarked for community development projects.
According to Mt. Kodu Landowners’ Chairman, Mr. Chillion Biloi, the landowners were asked by the Government in 2007 and 2008 to forego mining operations at Mt. Kodu.
In return, the Government pledged K50 million as part of a Socio-Economic Development Package to preserve and protect the Kokoda Track.
A decision to this effect was made by the National Executive Council (NEC) in 2010. However, only K10 million has been paid to the landowners, with the last payment made between 2011 and 2012.
Mr. Biloi noted that numerous requests for the remaining K40 million have gone unanswered.
“We have waited patiently for almost 12 years, but the Government has continued to ignore our pleas. We are now taking a stand and have indefinitely shut down the track until the Government releases the funds,” Mr. Biloi stated.
Mr. Enage stressed the national importance of the Kokoda Track and urged the Government and relevant stakeholders to convene an emergency meeting to address the situation.
“The closure of the Kokoda Track poses a serious threat to our tourism industry. This track is the leading tourist destination in Papua New Guinea, generating significant revenue for the economy each year,” Mr. Enage said.
He added that the meeting should also involve other key landowners along the Kokoda Track to prevent further closures.
“The current development programs along the Kokoda Track have not brought meaningful changes to the households of the communities living in the catchment areas,” Mr. Enage said.
He explained that the people of Naoro have now taken action due to their dissatisfaction with the current scope of the development programs.
“While this situation will negatively impact the Kokoda Track trekking industry, it presents an opportunity for all stakeholders to revisit and improve the current development programs to better target the livelihoods of families along the track. This will also allow for a resolution to the Mt. Kodu landowner issue and the reopening of the track,” Mr. Enage added.
He stressed the importance of strategic action to resolve the issue in a way that benefits the communities along the Kokoda Track as well as the country’s tourism sector.
“Unless we address both the immediate and long-term issues strategically, we risk repeated closures of the Kokoda Track. This will hinder the progress of the Kokoda Track Development Program and the trekking industry, jeopardizing a critical national tourism asset,” Mr. Enage warned.
He reiterated the need for an urgent meeting of all relevant State agencies and stakeholders to resolve the Mt. Kodu issue without further delays.
