Governor Parkop Champions Kokoda Track Reform And Commits Funding For Education
NCD Governor Powes Parkop has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring the Kokoda Track delivers tangible benefits to local communities while strengthening Papua New Guinea’s tourism industry. He made these remarks during Kokoda Primary School’s launch of a K2 million fundraising Walkathon under the theme “Walking for a Better Future.”
A week-long Walkathon from Sunday 21 to Sunday 28 June retraced the historic Kokoda Trail from Kokoda Station to Owers Range Corner, concluding at Sogeri before finishing in Port Moresby.
A meet and greet ceremony held at Nature Park earlier this week honored teachers, students, alumni, and parents. NCD Governor Parkop joined Member for Sohe District Hon. Henry Amuli, Dame Jean Kekedo, Dulcie Kekedo, and other dignitaries.
Commending Parkop’s leadership, Member Amuli described him as “a very committed governor, a leader to his people not only in NCD but across other provinces and districts too.”
Governor Parkop emphasized the urgent need to reposition the Kokoda Track Authority under the Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority;
“It’s not benefiting the people along the track. We’ve got to change that, and I’ve been pushing the government to shift the Kokoda Track Authority back to PNGTPA.
Now that it has been done, PNGTPA must step up in a big way to promote and lift Kokoda Track as the premier tourist product of the country.”
Highlighting PNG’s cultural and natural heritage, he added: “What we have here is authentic, real, pristine culture the forest, biodiversity, history, song and dance of our people.
It’s unique. It’s a great product. But we are not harnessing it to truly benefit our people.”
Governor Parkop also announced significant financial support for education in the Kokoda track district:
- K200,000 pledged for Kokoda Primary School infrastructure
- K10,000 pledged to support the school team’s the who have travelled to Port Moresby
- Member Amuli presented a K100,000 cheque towards fundraising
- Northern province Governor Gary Juffa pledged an additional K50,000
Governor Parkop further underscored the importance of engaging with the Australian corporate community; “Well-known corporate personalities in Australia are ready to do their part, and we must tap into that partnership to strengthen Kokoda and tourism in PNG.”
This event united leaders committed to positioning the Kokoda Track as a driver of sustainable development, cultural preservation, and economic opportunity for Port Moresby as the gate way to PNG.
