Buai ban mooted

 


By PATRICK LEVO

PORT Moresby, the capital of PNG, is facing a total ban on betelnut in 2013 if the NCDC board has its way.
 
The commission is considering a blanket ban on all forms of vehicles, planes and boats ferrying betelnut into the city, surveillance at major roads and ports and heavy fines.
NCD Governor Powes Parkop announced the board’s intentions On Monday in a bid to clean up Port Moresby of rubbish created by betelnut waste, spittle and rubbish left behind by street vendors.
It costs the city authority millions to clean up betelnut filth and this has become a major concern since Mr Parkop came to power five years ago.
But the moves by the NCDC board may have serious ramifications on many of the city’s unemployed who rely heavily on the betelnut trade to make ends meet for their families.
Governor Parkop said: “The NCD Board is seriously considering imposing stronger control of sale and chewing of betelnuts in the city in 2013.
 
“Despite all our efforts and appeals in the last four years, betelnut sale and chewing continue to be a menace and a health hazard in the city.”
Mr Parkop said while some residents and visitors to the nation’s capital have changed their attitude and are embracing NCDC’s effort to keep our city clean, hygienic and beautiful, many residents continue to be a hindrance to these noble development goals for the city and the people.
“This will not stop us from persevering in our endeavour to change the mindset and behaviour of our people,” he said.
“We will continue our attempt to change the behaviour of our people until the majority, or ideally, all of our residents and visitors to the sity see sense, give up their bad habits and join us to work towards a clean, hygienic and beautiful city.
“In addition to the steps we have been taking in the last few years to control sale and chewing of betelnuts in public places and spaces, the board of the commission will be considering the following additional measures:
* Ban all vessels, motor vehicles, dinghies and aircrafts from carrying, transporting or ferrying betelnuts into the city;
* Set up surveillance at all access roads, sea ports and airports to monitor, seize and prevent the carriage of betelnuts through the city boundary; and
* Impose heavy fines on those found to be in breach of the regulations.
In this respect, the NCDC board will consider the following fines or penalties:
* K10,000 per bag of betelnuts found on airlines;
* K10,000 per bag of betelnuts found on merchant ships or coastal vessels;
* K1 000 per bag of betelnuts found on any PMVs, private motor vehicle and dinghies;
* Impose spot-fines on members of public who spit in public places; and
* Impose spot-fines on members of public who litter in public places.
Governor Parkop said the Board of the Commission will consider setting up a new department of the Commission to be responsible for enforcement of all laws and regulations that the Commission is responsible for policing, including litter laws, public health regulations, building board regulations, physical planning regulations and liquor laws and regulations.
 
He said the current NCD Reserve Police and Enforcement Division in Physical Planning Division of the Commission will be amalgamated and strengthened and adequately sourced to perform these responsibilities as well as assist police to maintain peace and security in public places and spaces. He said that up to now, the Commission has been hindered by its inability to enforce laws and regulations that it is empowered to police. This will change in the New Year.
“As Governor of our city and chairman of the Commission, I call on our residents and citizens to change their ways and embrace the visions and goals we have set for the city,” Mr Parkop said.
“They must understand and appreciate that we will never deviate or forgo these goals. Human behaviour takes time to change and we will be patient but we will continue to persevere until our people change and help us to achieve these collective goals that are good for all of us.
“We recognise that betelnuts bring revenue to many members of our community but the social, health and financial costs in dealing with the consequences is too high.
“As soon as the board of the Commission approves these new measures, they will be implemented as soon as possible,” Governor Parkop