Papua New Guinea’s Kokoda Track reopens today

The Kokoda Track Reopens After Years of Closure

The Kokoda Track, Papua New Guinea’s most popular tourist destination, has reopened its doors after being shut down by landowners due to a payment dispute. The 96-kilometer-long track, which runs from near Port Moresby to Kokoda Village, over the Owen Stanley Ranges, has been a significant attraction for trekkers and history enthusiasts alike.

A Brief History of the Kokoda Track

The Kokoda Track gained fame during World War II when Australian troops clashed with Japanese soldiers along the route throughout much of 1942. After the war, it became a noted trekking route, attracting mostly Australians who followed the path taken by the soldiers under far more perilous conditions.

The Closure and Reopening

The Mt Kodu landowners had forced the track’s closure earlier this year due to unpaid compensation for turning down a gold mine development on their land. The proposed mine would have impacted on the track environment, prompting the landowners’ demand for payment. The reopening of the track marks a significant step towards resolving the dispute.

The Government’s Commitment

Oro Province Governor Gary Juffa was present at the reopening ceremony and spoke about the government’s commitment to honor its agreement with the Kodu landowners. In 2014 or around that time, the government had pledged K$50 million to pay the landowners for giving up the opportunity to have a mine on their land. Although two instalments of K$5m each were paid, the balance was not settled, leaving the landowners waiting patiently for years.

Supporting the Local Community

Juffa emphasized that the government will again pay out the remaining amount in instalments to a specially set up body that will ensure it is distributed among the community. He highlighted that this is not just about compensating the Kodu landowners but also addressing the needs of other communities along the route who have suffered due to lack of development.

A Call for Government Intervention

Juffa urged both the governments of Papua New Guinea and Australia to take action to support these communities. He noted that while Canberra has maintained a previous arrangement to help, it was not taken up by the PNG government until the Marape government stepped in. He also mentioned that the remaining balance owed to the people along the trail is approximately K$90 million.

A New Era for the Kokoda Track

With the track now reopened, trekkers and tourists can once again experience one of Papua New Guinea’s most iconic attractions. The reopening serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing historical grievances and supporting local communities. As Juffa aptly put it, “The people living along the Kokoda Trail have been forced to live the way they are since 1945, so continuously making a sacrifice.” It is now up to both governments to work towards ensuring that these sacrifices are not forgotten.

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *