Kokoda Track boss resigns

Kokoda Track Authority (KTA) chief executive James Enage resigned last week to concentrate on serving the interest of Kokoda Track landowners.
Enage, who had been the CEO of KTA since 2013, said he decided to resign as CEO because both Papua New Guinea and Australian governments had failed to properly address landowner issues.
“I voluntarily tendered my resignation to KTA board during a special board meeting last week based on my own conscience, and on what I think is right in terms of good governance,” he said.
Enage said the action he had taken to become chairman of the Kokoda Track Landowners’ Association (KTLA) and block off the track at Owers’ Corner last month was to show their frustration.
“Whilst I was the CEO, I have been fighting in silence with both the PNG and Australian governments over the last five years,” he said.
“This is because of the fact that funding for Kokoda Track landowners’ community livelihood developments from the PNG Government side is absorbed and managed by the Kokoda Initiative programme established at the Conservation and Environment Protection Authority.
“The Australian government component is managed and absorbed by the Kokoda Development Programme established at Australian High Commission in Port Moresby.
“There is literally no funding from both PNG and Australian governments reaching KTA over the years.
“I take the stance to stand by my landowners because I have had enough.”
Enage said he could not work with KTA and at the same time pursue the landowners’ interest as the chairman of KTLA because there would be a conflict of interest.
“That’s why I voluntarily tendered my resignation to KTA board to concentrate on fighting for the landowners concerning what is rightfully theirs,” he said.