By JOSHUA ARLO
THE National Capital District Commission is spending up to K15 million each year to ‘clean’ Port Moresby city streets and public areas because of careless attitudes by some of its residents.
NCD Governor Powes Parkop said this was a ‘waste’ of money as it could be better used for other infrastructure projects like health centres and education facilities.
He said most of this money was being pumped into something which most city residents should be using their ‘common sense’ to avoid.
Mr Parkop made these comments yesterday when launching a volunteer awareness group of about 35 men who will be going around the city to create awareness and educate vendors and the public about keeping the city clean.
The group is not on the payroll of City Hall but is volunteering its services on a one-month trial basis to bring the message of ownership of the city, hygiene and cleanliness to the city residents.
Group leader Andrew Ango said yesterday at the launching the project, that the group was already under strict instructions not to force vendors and the public to stop throwing rubbish in the city, but to bring awareness of the risks involved in not keeping the city clean.
Mr Ango said they would also be checking kai-bars and tuckershops to see where rubbish are being kept as well as checking the quality of cooked food being sold.
The group is going around sporting bright yellow T-shirts with the NCD logo and the theme “NCDC awareness team”.
Mr Ango thanked Mr Parkop for endorsing them while Mr Parkop commended them for using their initiative to volunteer their services.
Mr Parkop said that NCD is the gateway for PNG and first impressions must be made to potential tourists and investors.
“We should start by keeping the city clean.”