No work done on track: Governor

By GEORGINA KOREI
Central Governor Robert Agarobe says no work has been done to improve the Kokoda Track despite a K300 million support from the Australian government in recent years.
Agarobe said there was no evidence of development from the funding given in the Central side of the track.
“Even on the Sogeri side of the

track, there are no signs of any development and beautification done along the Kokoda track from the funding from the Australian government,” he said.
Agarobe said the Northern part of the Kokoda track had clear evidence that the funding was put into good use.
“The development of the Kokoda Track on the Northern side indicates that they are purposely using the funding for developments along the track,” he said.
“There are footprints of development in Northern, but not in Central, and this has been my disappointment for a very long time.”
Agarobe said that because Sogeri urban ward in the Koiari local level government was not part of the Kokoda corridor, they always miss out on Government funding.
“I stood my ground for four years trying to make sure Sogeri urban is included in the Kokoda corridor so we can get direct funding from our government for its development,” he said.
Agarobe said the Kokoda Track was one of the country’s famous sites which was visited by tourists but lately, had not attracted tourists because of a combination of restrict international travel due to the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic and a lack of development along the track.
“Prominence is given to tourism in Central because of the Kokoda Track and we have to protect the track as it will make Sogeri a destination for tourists,” he said.
Agarobe said there were policies in place to re-develop Kokoda Track and attract tourists but there was a need to build the area’s support services.