Revenue from trekking helps communities

TREKKING revenue distributed by the Kokoda Track Authority (KTA) has helped communities improve their livelihood and develop small businesses in their area, according to KTA chief executive officer James Enage.
He said the programme provided sustainable income and delivered vast improvements to much-needed facilities in the various council wards in the area.
“The final payments have been approved for distribution this year, and I’m pleased to say all projects within the wards are proving to be promising in terms of success for long term sustainability,” he said.
A total of K140,000 would have been distri­buted this year among the various Kokoda and Koiari communities by Dec 31.
All project proposals submitted by the communities to KTA were approved this year, which showed a high level of project proposals developed by the communities.
About 25% of fees collected from trekking permits were allocated for Ward development committee projects for their communities, with another 25% used by communities for track maintenance and conservation.
Last year’s allocation brought about renovations and the purchase of new equipment and supplies to churches, schools, community centres and road upgrades in the 14 Wards.
Ward counsellor for Efogi, Launumu, Hae­logo and Enivilogo Willie Vavi, said that in last year’s allocation, they acquired a rice mill that was stationed at Haelogo and this had resulted in the increase of in number of rice farmers.
Vavi said some funds would be allocated to help train young people on equipment maintenance.
In the neighbouring villages of Kagi and Naduri, deputy president of Kioari local level Government Josh John had redirected the focus of this years’ funding to poultry projects, specifically for the women of his wards.

“Women are the engine room of the family” he said, stating in recent times he has seen a decline in income earning opportunities for them.
This recent increase in sustainable business projects is supporting communities with income generation for the long term.