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We received an email from Warren Bartlett, CEO of the Kokoda Track Authority saying the township of Kokoda was out of control, completely overgrown and so on. Just a little of his email: quote:
I am really pissed off at the state of neglect of Kokoda Station and the complete lack of interest in the government to do anything about it. Your tractor and slasher are a fantastic idea. How long will they last?
The Oro Provincial Government and/or the KKD LLG should have funds to maintain Kokoda and other airstrips in the Kokoda area. KTA funds should be used for community benefit projects along the Track – not Kokoda Station predominately. KTA can consider assisting to a limited extent.
KTA donated three mowers to the LLG, the Hospital, the school, the Memorial Park last year, Rotary donated two to the Hospital, John Wild donated one to the Airstrip. All have broken down. One has a smashed sump, the others have blocked carbies through using unfiltered dirty petrol. John Wild's mower has vibrated to pieces and needs welding. Even the Hospital grounds are overgrown.
The KTA radio at the Hospital is not working and damaged because somebody installed the new battery back to front, damaging the radio and possible blowing the diode on the solar panel. The Police KTA radio has the microphone and new battery stolen. The Kovelo KTA radio has not been transmitting for three months – nobody reports these matters. I brought all three radios to POM for repair last week!
The electricity supply in Kokoda never works because any money collected from monthly debit notes sometimes issued to consumers by Government Officers finishes up in the coffers of SP Brewery. I'm afraid I now have a ZERO tolerance to alcohol and drug abuse in 2007. Beer is not welcome on Kokoda Track.
Most taps have leaking washers. The communities are incapable of replacing a worn washer. The method used to stop a leaking tap is use a short length of metal pipe as a lever to tighten the tap, resulting in the destruction of the spindle and consequently the tap. Lohberger will replace all taps with ball cocks – an expensive exercise, which hopefully will work until the levers fall off.
unquote
The good news is that following this email, I spoke to Russell in Popondetta and asked for his help in trying to clean up Kokoda in time for the fast approaching trekking season which kicks off in mid April.
He called a meeting in Kokoda with our KTL staff and a lot of them offered their help and they started to work with their bush knives.
I believe a few lawn mowers have been repaired and are now in operation.
The bad news is that he found a tractor to start slashing the airstrip but it broke down after only completing half of the job and is now being repaired. Hopefully this will happen in the not too distant future.
We did up a poster to pin up around town in the hope that other people also lend a hand to HELP. I have been informed that a young group from Kovello came down the next day with their bush knives and helped our KTL boys.
Its such a shame though as Warren has stated that the LLG (local level government) do not look after the town like they should.
Russell remembers the good old days before PNG got their independence and wishes Kokoda could go back to its former glory!
As a kick start to this process we have purchased a 4WD second hand 'New Holland' sit on lawn mower that the councils in Australia use to clean our streets. We have had it fully serviced along with its heavy duty slasher and have been advised today that it is ready for pickup. We have also ordered replacement parts for it of the main items that get damaged with normal wear and tear.
The tractor will now be shipped to Port Moresby next Wednesday and hopefully a few weeks later will make its way down to Popondetta and then up to Kokoda. If all goes according to plan, it is Kokoda Trekking's intention to employ Russell's nephew to maintain the airstrip and town centre as our community project for 2007.
How long will it last per Warren's question, who knows, only time will tell – but at least we at Kokoda Trekking are trying to make a difference!
100_1094.jpgAnother piece of good news is the following message received from KTA:
KTA have purchased 40 Toilet Pots with lids (the same as you have at Russell's family block). 20 are for Kokoda to Templeton 2 and 20 for Owers Corner to Templeton 1.
We can allocate two to Kokoda Airstrip as well as a HD Green Tarpaulin 32 feet x 24 feet.
If Russell can organize a Youth Group or his boys to construct bush material pit latrines and airport shelter, it would be appreciated. KTA can possibly contribute towards the cost of construction if necessary.
SO GOOD NEWS as it now means better toilets for all trekkers walking the Kokoda Track in 2007!
I have informed Warren at KTA that Russell will do his best to have our KTL boys dig pit toilets at the airport and put up the tarpaulin for shade.
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