O’Neill wants Kokoda review

ENVIRONMENT, Conservation and Climate Change Minister John Pundari says an independent review will be done into the establishment and operations of the Kokoda Track Authority.
Pundari, the chairman of the Kokoda Initiative Committee, said Prime Minister Peter O’Neill wanted a full and independent review into the authority following concerns raised by Sohe MP Henry Amuli in Parliament last week.
Amuli said the authority’s board and a chief executive officer had not been changed for more than 11 years, which was a concerns for the Kokoda Track landowners.
Pundari said Minister for Intergovernmental Relations Kevin Isifu recently wrote to the management committee informing them of the review and seeking their urgent comments on the draft terms of reference.
“However, to date there has been no response from the KTA or the KTA management committee,” he said.
Chief Secretary Isaac Lupari has established a taskforce consisting of the Secretary for the Department of Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs, managing director for the Conservation and Environment Protection Authority and Deputy Secretary (Policy) of the Department of Prime Minister and National Executive Council to oversee the review.”
Pundari said it was disappointing that the authority had not responded to the Government’s decision to review the KTA to ensure it is better placed to support the trekking industry in the region.