Buai ban petition given to NCD, govt

 THE Government and the National Capital District should find amicable solutions to assist people affected by the betel nut ban in Port Moresby, according to a petition.

The petition was presented in Parliament by Central Governor Kila Haoda last Friday on behalf of the chiefs and community leaders of Kairuku-Hiri district. They want NCD Commission to lift the ban on the sale and consumption of betel nut in the city. 

They want the Government to consider the suffering, discrimination and freedom of movement of their people.

Haoda said five key points were:

• The chiefs and community leaders of Kairuku-Hiri have been humiliated by the NCD Governor in the banning of betel nut selling and consumption in the NCD;
• at a meeting last October at Paipiana village, the NCD Governor announced that the ban would be reconsidered to achieve a win-win situation but that has not happened;
• the ban has direct impact as a major income source on small businesses; 
• the ban has affected betel nut buyers and chewers in Motuan villages. It has also prevented transportation of betel nuts by sea or air to other markets as Daru, Alotau, Popondetta and Mt Hagen; and,
• The Act is contrary to Section 46 of the National Capital District Commission Act 2001, which is affecting the livelihood of people of Central Province 

Abau MP Sir Puka Temu suggested during the debate on the issue that trading licenses should only be given to Central people at a market to be agreed to by the three governors. 

Kikori MP Mark Maipakai said the decision to impose the betel nuts ban in the city was unfair on his people.