Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has appealed to Kokoda Track landowners to lift the ban placed on the track as it is affecting the livelihoods of people who make a living out of trekking and also income coming into the country through tourism.
Prime Minister was speaking in Parliament in answer to questions raised by Oro Govenor, Hon. Gary Juffa on whether Government would honour the former government’s promise to pay K50 million to the landowners for the use of their land which the trail is on.
PM Marape said he was aware of this longstanding matter, and confirmed receiving a petition in September this year when the landowners imposed the ban.
Prime Minister Marape said Kokoda Track remains the country’s most visited national site by international visitors and the Government would honour the commitment and pay the outstanding money promised.
“Kokoda Track is an important national site that continues to attract international visits. Our country has limitations in tourist attractions despite our vast potential. Kokoda remains our number one tourist hotspot lately.
“I want to confirm that a petition was handed in for government to honour this outstanding commitment of 2011; that we must pay up the K50 million for the landowners of Kodu,’’ he said, while appealing to the landowners to lift the ban as Government works at finding the money to finish honouring the commitment.
Furthermore, Prime Minister Marape said the closure is affecting the livelihood of the people who depend on trekking to support their lives.
“A carrier is paid between K300 to K400 for carrying a bag. Villagers living along the track participate through sale of food, artefacts and providing care and hospitality. So I appeal to you to open the track as the ban benefits no one,” he said.
Governor Juffa, while pointing out the matter, said in 2013 and 2014, an allocation of K5 million from each year was paid to the people out of the K50 million commitment made in 2011. However, since then, the rest is outstanding.
Governor Guff explained that, in protest, the landowners went ahead on 16th September this year and closed the track, affecting both the people living along the trail as well as the tourism industry in the country.