Betel nut vendors have a point

 GOVERNOR Powes Parkop and the National Capital District Commission must immediately address the concerns of betel nut sellers in the National Capital District and their suppliers in Central and Gulf provinces about the lack of proper market places for them to trade.

While most people in the NCD, including disgruntled vendors, agree the ban on betel nut sales is having a positive effect on the outlook of the nation’s capital, it is imperative that Parkop fulfil his commitment to ensure that proper market places are established for people to sell and buy betel nuts.

As Parkop is well aware, the betel nut is a legitimate cash crop that has been in high demand on the local market for years. 

This traditional coastal crop is now widely distributed and consumed throughout the country, with the Highlands centres among the most popular markets. 

The NCD is arguably the largest local market for betel nuts and a significant portion of its population, mostly the grassroots people, has become totally dependent on this commodity for their livelihood. 

It has been their sole source of income and has enabled them to survive in an otherwise cruel city environment.

Parkop knew that when he initiated his grand plan that he would virtually cut off their lifeline and force them to look for the already scant alternatives, including begging in the city streets for a living. Surely, the governor does not want to see any more beggars hanging around the traffic lights next to City Hall? 

He will if he does not move quickly to establish proper market places in the NCD or on the border with Central for betel nut traders and vendors.

It is a pity Parkop did not attend a meeting at the 9-Mile Market on Saturday to listen to concerns by disgruntled suppliers and sellers who have asked him to relax the ban and provide regulated facilities for trading in the NCD.

Undoubtedly, Parkop will be reluctant to relax the ban that came into effect on New Year’s Day but he should seriously consider the people’s request for proper market places. We agree with their spokesman Ben Gipo that proper markets must be constructed to cater for retailers and suppliers. 

It seems the current makeshift facility Ruburogo, near Laloki, is not conducive to their needs and its isolated location is a security risk for the traders who deal with large sums of cash. 

Gipo raised an interesting point about the lack of consultation between Parkop and his counterparts, Kila Haoda of Central and Havila Kavo of Gulf.

“Has Governor Parkop consulted the other governors before imposing the ban because there has to be a win-win situation and currently there’s none,” he said.

Kavo’s first secretary Gabriel Topokai, who represented the Gulf governor at the meeting, said there was a lack of consultation on the betel nut ban and that Parkop had not responded to their suggestion for alternative measures.  

It is becoming painfully obvious that the ban is having a disastrous effect on those Gulf people who depend on the sale of betel nuts for their livelihood. 

Furthermore, we are told that Kavo presented K500,000 to help the NCDC  establish market facilities for the people of Gulf and Mekeo in Central.

May we ask the NCD governor and his management if the money will be used for its intended purpose.

Parkop has seemingly ignored or refused to entertain the Gulf government’s suggestions to establish six depots in the three NCD electorates and register all betel nut wholesalers and retailers so that trading is controlled and coordinated within the nation’s capital. 

As well, monitoring would be easier as NCD inspectors will be able to visit designated areas and ensure that all requirements are adhered to by sellers and buyers of betel nuts.

If Parkop has tried to rid the NCD of the betel nut trade he has succeeded to a certain extent.

However, he cannot sweep the matter under his counterpart’s carpet as the bulk of the people affected are his constituents in the NCD and many of them voted him into office.

That he cannot ignore or refuse to entertain.