Betel nut ban best thing for the city

Editorial

NATIONAL Capital District Govenor Powes Parkop should be commended for the drive to rid the city of betel nut stains and the filth that comes with it.
It is an eye sore and it is very unpleasant to see red spittle over pavements, bitumen, flower gardens and everywhere.
The red spittle has defaced public infrastructures.
Parkop imposed a ban on betel nut on Oct 1, 2013.
Many criticised the move, saying that some people make a living from the betel nut trade. Some argued the nut was part of our culture and should not be banned.
And as the law went into effect many realised the city was cleaner, with officials enforcing the ban on the selling and chewing of betel nut in public and dished out penalties.
It definitely was a mammoth task for City Hall.
The ban is beneficial for people and the environment as well as formalising trading activities, instilling good moral standards and removing free-rider problems associated with the cleaning up of the trash.
The ban, in a way, helped correct the wrong way of doing things – of chewing betel nut and spitting in public.
The law is there to prohibit the sale and chewing of betel nut in public but the enforcement continues to be the biggest challenge.
Earlier this year, Parkop changed tactic and engaged a company to clean up the city on a regular basis.
The company would move around the city cleaning up the betel nut stains.
Then later, a ban on betel nut in the suburb of Boroko was imposed. Whether the ban is being enforced and if it it working is yet to be determined.
Otherwise, some parts of Boroko look clean while areas in the city still leaves a lot to be desired.
Betel nut chewing involves chewing the palm tree nut mixed with lime powder and mustard, before the red remains are spat out.
Time for authorities to put a stop to all vending at traffic lights, especially at the Tokarara/Waigani junction and the one at Vision City.
We still have ignorant members of the public spitting and throwing husks wherever they want to. Even out of vehicle windows.
The bitumen and sidewalk have turned red from spit. Even the new roads already have red spittle on them.
People always find a way to beat the ban.
Enough of excuses. We cannot continue to give excuses or be mediocre about the quality of life and standard of living in our city, the status of infrastructure and so on.
Most city residents want to change, however, it is only a few who are dragging everyone down.
We agree with Parkop that Papua New Guineans need to develop a culture of respect, responsibility and appreciation of what is in the environment and value them.
People should start practising good chewing habits and practise preventative health care.
If chewers can take responsibility for their husks and spittle, then the action of enforcing a ban will not be necessary.