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LAND OWNER FUNDING FLOWS TO KOKODA TRACK LAND OWNERS
A total of K45,000 will be deposited into five separate Kokoda Track Ward Development Committee bank accounts today, and a further K35,000 is ready to be distributed announced a very pleased Chairman of the Kokoda Track Authority (KTA) Mr. James Enage today.
The new KTA has made promises to the land owners that money would get directly into the hands of the communities along the Kokoda Track. These payments are clear evidence of this commitment and now that there is a clear and transparent system for distributing payments all future scheduled payments will flow. A further K70,000 is scheduled to be distributed to the Wards at the end of June and then another K70,000 by the end of September. said Mr. Enage.
The KTA Board meeting held in May negotiated a resolution whereby the fourteen Ward Development Committees along the Kokoda Track would gain an equal share of Trek Permit revenue collected by the KTA. The Asimba, Kovelo, Abuari, Alola and Kagi Ward Development Committees have been able to set up registered committees and bank accounts and these Wards will receive the funding today. It is hoped the other nine Wards will register their Committees and create bank accounts in the very near future so they can also receive their funds.
The KTA collects trek permit fees from Trekkers walking the Kokoda Track. These permit fees are then used to pay Land Owner payments, undertake maintenance to the Track and to operate the business.
This is the first time since the KTA began that money has got directly to the local communities. It is the start of our own journey where people along the Track, the tour operators and the Government are truly working together to produce benefits for all. a proud Mr. Enage announced.
The KTA also announced today that a contract had been awarded to local company Central Lumber Limited to undertake road repairs along the Depo to Owers Corner road. The road is a serious concern to the KTA as it is either the start or the finish of the trekkers experience and the roads very poor condition greatly impacts on their visit to PNG. The road also provides very important access for the many communities who live in the Depo and Vesilogo Wards. The works are contracted to commence Tuesday 9th June.
ENDS..
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