Betel nut trader turning dump into park

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By PISAI GUMAR
THE involvement of soldiers from Igam barracks in cleaning the Esplanade Road in Lae has motivated a betel nut trader to develop a beach used as a dumping area into a park.
Isaac Manu from Amoa, Morobe Patrol Post, had spent K360,000 in labour and materials to change the look of the seafront which can be used for recreation by families and visitors to Lae. Manu signed an agreement with the Lae City Council to share the costs on a 30-70 basis. He is spending his own money to buy cement, stones and gravels to build walls and beautify the area.
He owns seven dinghies transporting buai along the Northern and Morobe coasts, plus a property at Bower Bird Street in China Town.
He engaged 20 youths to assist in the development and management of the park, including day and night security.
“The Igam soldiers’ involvement in picking rubbish at the DCA beachfront in front of us boat operators and buai and soft drink sellers left me ashamed,” Manu said.
“Soldiers are meant to protect and govern our country and not picking rubbish. We the citizens should be responsible for our own rubbish to keep our city streets clean.”