Buai vendors to pay fines

 By CARMELLA GWARE

BETEL NUT vendors and chewers will face spot fines to enforce the rules on Port Moresby residents, says National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop.

“As soon as we clean a particular place up, such as the bus stops or the Vision City entrance, it will soon go back to its original state in less than an hour,” he said.

“Rubbish, especially betel nut husks pile up faster than we can remove them. 

“People say that I should educate them. Some people you can educate but others will continue on doing the same thing even if educated.

“We have to help them change and the best way is to enforce laws against them especially through spot fines.

“The ban will follow after that regardless of excuses of income or culture. People who use these excuses to justify their actions are the main polluters of our city.

“If it is a means of income then all businesses follow regulations. These vendors do not sell at designated areas and they do not want to be taxed. 

“They just want their money and that’s it. Whatever happens to the city is now someone else’s problem.

“The chewers likewise cannot say that it is a customary practice as I come from an area where we chew a lot. But we do not chew anywhere and at anytime or spit everywhere. 

“What they are doing is purely commercial.

“I have been trying to regulate it in the last four years while NCDC has been trying for the past 15 years but all to no avail.

“Kokopo in East New Britain is a buai-chewing capital but you will not see any evidence of it on the streets.

“Likewise, the people of Alotau chew worse than flying foxes but we don’t see betel nut stains anywhere.

“The conclusion that I have reached is no more betel nuts – keep it out of the city.”